Awnings & canopies

April 1, 2009  |  Fabric Basics

For decades the choice of awning and canopy fabric was limited to cotton canvas. While cotton offers a great look and feel, it has performance limitations outdoors. Although traditional cotton duck, or canvas, is still used occasionally — especially when specifiers desire a traditional look &m…
Read More
Fabric structures

April 1, 2009  |  Fabric Basics

A fabric structure’s material selection, proper design, engineering, fabrication and installation all work together to ensure a sound structure. The material’s role in the structure’s performance makes the selection process especially important. This is particularly true with tensi…
Read More
Graphics applications

April 1, 2009  |  Fabric Basics

New applications of graphic elements are a species of fabric architecture that allows the most colorful and visual creativity. Environmental graphics fabricators constantly look for new ways to grab the eye or fill a space. The key to selecting the proper fabric is knowing the function a banner or g…
Read More
Definitions to know

April 1, 2009  |  Fabric Basics

Denier is an international system for measuring the weight (linear density) of fabric. Officially, it is the number of unit weights of 0.05g/ 450m length. It is a direct numbering system in which the lower numbers represent the finer sizes and the higher numbers the coarser sizes. In the U.S., the d…
Read More
Photocatalyst technology adds value to fabric

May 1, 2005  |  Fabric Basics

By Kikuko Tagawa The word “photocatalyst” may be unfamiliar to you, but it is mentioned frequently in Japan’s business media; it is now well known by most business people in Japan. Photocatalyst treatments are probably in your environment already. Do the mirrors on your car doors e…
Read More
Basalt continuous filament could be the fiber of the future

July 1, 2004  |  Fabric Basics

BCF has distinct advantages over mineral fibers like carbon, ceramic and glass fibers. By Eddie Grosfield Spewed by erupting volcanoes millions of years ago, solidified lava—called basalt rock—turns out to be an excellent raw material for making effective fireproof fabrics and barriers, …
Read More
Japanese fabric companies attempt to develop substitute for PVC

March 1, 2003  |  Fabric Basics

 By Kikuko Tagawa Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is an extremely popular material used in a wide variety of applications, including construction, industrial fabrics, filtration, medical products, food wraps, toys, and many others. This inexpensive material combines strength and workability and excel…
Read More
Spacer considerations

July 1, 2001  |  Fabric Basics

Manufactured in a wide range of forms, 3-D fabrics can be used for construction, soil retention or acoustic attenuation By Janet Cass Think of spacer fabric (also called 3-D fabric) as a sandwich, featuring two complementary slabs of fabric with a third layer tucked in between. The inner layer can t…
Read More