Textiles are subjected to external pressures and abrasive components every time they are being used. Different coatings have been introduced to minimize wear and tear in textiles. For example, polymer coatings have proved to offer protection on different textile products surfaces while allowing water to evaporate through the fabric. Other fabrics always oppose this phenomenon. This article will discuss some of the benefits of coating the textile produces.
Abrasion Resistance
The abrasion resistance is determined by rubbing it against rubbing flat to find out its eroding rate. The coating increases this resistance by creating a layer on top of the fabric. This coating mainly helps the materials that experience excessive friction like footwear, backpacks, synthetic leather, personal protective equivalent, and power transmission belts. Abrasion and cut resistance is the primary priority a coating machines manufacturer should consider in production.
Adhesive Qualities
Fabrics are sometimes coated to increase their adhesiveness and increase their ability to hold onto other surfaces. For example, a rubber polymer coating is ideally used to manufacture vehicle tires, seals and gaskets, and power transmission.
Air-Holding Capabilities
Some coated textiles develop a resistance that renders them air and watertight. For this reason, these types of fabric are used to manufacture air-holding products, e.g., SCUBA buoyancy compensators, life vests, airlift bladders, blood pressure cuffs, pressure infusor bags, aerostats, etc.
Waterproofing
Coatings a fabric is an excellent way of improving its waterproofing ability. Due to the coating’s hydrophobic nature, these materials tend to develop water and liquids repelling properties.
Antimicrobial Properties
Some particular types of fabrics are coated with a polymer that is known as chitosan. This is a natural antibacterial biopolymer that is extracted from specific sea creatures. Surfaces coated with this type of polymer remain free from bacteria until contaminated. For this reason, this coating is used to cover medical textiles, like bandages, blood pressure cuffs, braces, and prosthetics.
Flame Resistance
When incorporated with flame-resistant agents, the textile coating is much helpful in producing materials that can resist hot flame. Thus, these materials manufacture protective firefighter clothing, vehicles and airplanes fabric, thermal ablatives, and safety carpeting and curtains.
Thermal Resistance
PTFE or PFA-coated materials can withstand a temperature of as high as 500° F. These polymer-coated textiles are used to manufacture safety products, automotive and aerospace fabrics, and firefighting apparel.
Durability
A coating helps the textile to be more robust and resist corrosion. This is useful in ensuring that some products like camping equipment, outdoor outwear, sheets, and towels have a significantly extended life.
Noise Abatement
Some polymer-coated textiles develop sound-absorbing properties, thus significantly reducing noise. These fabrics’ porous nature absorbs any sound wave directed towards them. This type of coating is used chiefly to produce soundproof layers in automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications.
Weldability
Some textile coatings involve bonding the polymers through adhesives, RF, ultrasonic, or hot air weldable. The final product is ideally durable and can be used where a sealed seam is required since sewn seams tend to develop unwanted holes on the fabric’s surface. It is used to manufacture weatherproof outerwear, inflatable vests, rafts, medical devices, and recreational BC vests.
Conclusion
Coating textiles with polymers is beneficial across a wide range of industries. These industries include aerospace, construction, transportation, geotextiles, medical clothing, sports, and agriculture. Coating textiles tend to increase their lifespan.
