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TECHNICAL GUIDE NUMBER FIVE
Reinforced PVC
Nolan Warehouses
ESTABLISHED 1920
COMPANY PROFILE
Nolan Warehouses, established in 1920, is a merchant wholesaler
whose products can be segregated into three main groupings:
Industrial Fabrics, Automotive & Marine and Contact & Commercial.
The business trades from six fully stocked branches throughout
Australia, located concentrically with the country’s population.
The company is classified by the Australian Securities
and Investments Commission (ASIC) as a ‘Large Reporting
Entity’, satisfying the latter’s minimum classification
criteria of net assets and turnover.
The Nolan team at the Adelaide conference 2007.
Over many years, Nolan Warehouses has established a
solid network of trading partners around the world, and
longstanding business relationships with its customer
base, most of whom are fabricators or installers. This is
because nearly all the products the company supplies
require conversion into a practically usable or consumable form. Nonetheless, in its area of expertise, the
company is well known in the Architect and Specifier
community.
The company prides itself on its technical expertise, and
rigorous approach to new product selection and testing,
which goes a long way to ensuring that its product
portfolio is at the very least, of merchantable quality
and fit for purpose. This is particularly significant, since
the key features that determine product quality cannot
be determined by superficial examination. Many of its
brands, through prolonged field life and performance,
have become synonymous with their end application.
Head office and warehouse in Alexandria, Sydney.
Liveried delivery truck at Circular Quay, Sydney, circa 1930.
Over its 87 year history, the company has prospered
through depression, world war, and significant changes
in strategic direction. Its various branches have survived
fire, major flooding and even earthquake! It remains
proudly third generation family owned and operated.
Nolan Warehouses
Firemen attending blaze at Adelaide warehouse in 1963.
www.nolans.com.au
TECHNICAL GUIDE NUMBER FIVE
Reinforced PVC
Nolan Warehouses
ESTABLISHED 1920
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
What is Reinforced PVC? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Technical Guide Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF REINFORCED PVC
How Reinforced PVC is Made . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 4
Characteristics of Flexible PVC Film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Characteristics of Woven Polyester Scrim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Surface Finishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Product Dimensions, Packaging and Labelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
FABRICATION ADVICE
Product Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Tear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Fatigue Cracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Sewing Thread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Welding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Plasticiser Migration or Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Opacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Dimensional Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Unusual Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Cleaning and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
PAINTING AND PRINTING
Product Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11
Surface Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Ink Receptivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Screen Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Wind Load on Banners – “A Hole Lot Better?” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13
PROPERTIES AND TEST METHODS
Australian Standards and Manufacturer’s Specifications . . . . . 14-15
Breaking Force and Residual Elastic Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-16
Tear Strength . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Ultra-Violet Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Mildew Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Hydrostatic Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Adhesion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Solar Transmittance and Reflectance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Flammability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19
Flammability – Building Code of Australia Requirements . . . . . . . . 19
Flammability – Requirements for Temporary Structures
(NSW and Victoria) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Chemical Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
APPENDIX A – Weld Fault Finding Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
APPENDIX B – Ink and Paint Receptivity of Vinyl Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . 22
APPENDIX C – Chemical Resistance of Flexible PVC . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23-25
APPENDIX D – AWTA Textile Testing Ltd – Test Reports . . . . . . . . . . 26-35
APPENDIX E – Product Warranty, Disclaimer
and Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
IMPORTANT: The contents of this Technical Guide are the copyright of Nolan O'Rourke and Company Pty Ltd.
No part may be reproduced without explicit permission.
First Edition – December 2001
INTRODUCTION
What is Reinforced PVC?
Reinforced PVC is a composite product, comprising
the combination of one or more vinyl films, and a
woven scrim, as illustrated in FIGURES 1a and 1b. It is
very similar in concept to reinforced concrete, where
the steel provides tensile strength to the concrete, which
in turn provides compressive strength and lateral
stability to the steel matrix. Consequently, the
properties and utility of the combination are
significantly enhanced. In reinforced PVC, the woven
scrim provides tensile and tear strength, and resistance
to dimensional change; whereas the vinyl provides
waterproofing, abrasion and chemical resistance. The
result is a durable, relatively light-weight fabric, easily
maintained and widely used in awnings, covers, tent
enclosures, marine canopies, banners, billboards and a
host of other applications, particularly outdoors.
Within this broad description, there are many
different types of product, some formulated to meet a
specific requirement. For example, some banner fabrics
have a very flat scrim, polished surface and applied
finish to enhance paint or ink receptivity. Fabrics
designed for marine or other extended outdoor use
have high levels of UV inhibitor added to the fabric and
sometimes water-repellent and fungacidal compounds
incorporated into the yarn of the scrim.
Technical Guide Objectives
Even for an experienced fabricator, selection of an
appropriate type of reinforced PVC to use in a particular
circumstance is not easy. For example, the total weight
of the product, often used as a rule of thumb measure of
relative quality, is not necessarily an accurate indicator.
This is because total weight is dependent on the type of
scrim and the thickness of the vinyl film (or films),
which can be different for two products of the same
weight. Similarly, many of the features that determine
the life of the product, such as the quality of UV
inhibitors added, cannot be assessed other than by
laboratory testing. A product with no UV inhibitor will
look and weigh exactly the same as one without, but will
very quickly breakdown in service.
Therefore, an understanding of the formulation and
characteristics of vinyl is important for any specifier or
user to make an informed choice on the right product
for a particular application. This is the reason this Guide
has been prepared.
It is designed to present information that is more
comprehensive than that provided in the sales literature
of our suppliers. It examines the relevant specifications
and test methods, and makes comment on their
significance. The characteristics of the material, and the
inherent differences resulting from the different
processes of manufacture are explained. Also included
is advice on fabrication, based on industry experience
gleaned from a wide range of end-use applications.
It is one of a series of Technical Guides prepared for
all Nolan products, and should be read in conjunction,
particularly Guide numbers two and three “Expanded
Upholstery Vinyl” and “Flexible Clear PVC” respectively.
For the sake of completeness, some of the relevant
material in those Guides is repeated herein.
The reinforced PVC supplied by Nolan Warehouses
is sourced from quality endorsed manufacturers, which
means their quality control procedures are fully
documented and externally audited. The brandname
“Herculite”, well-known in Australia, is manufactured in
the USA by the Pennsylvania based corporation of the
same name. “Mariner Hooding” and “Nolan Tonneau”
are manufactured by Nylex, based in Melbourne.
Corporate profiles of these companies are reproduced
on the inside front cover.
The “Nolan Promise” is our guarantee that the
products supplied will be “fit for purpose”, that is,
function adequately for a reasonable period when used
in the appropriate way, or as documented in this
Guide. A copy of the “Nolan Warranty” is contained in
APPENDIX E.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF REINFORCED PVC
How Reinforced PVC is Made
There are two methods of manufacture – coating, or
lamination. Coating entails the spreading of liquid PVC
over the reinforcing scrim with a knife, and then
solidifying it in an oven. There are several techniques of
coating, the method adopted being dependent on the
type and porosity of the base scrim. Where the scrim is
especially porous for example, the coating can first be
applied to another medium (release paper), solidified
and then attached to the base scrim. In this case, the
finished product behaves more like a laminate.
Coated surfaces usually consist of several passes,
the initial being a “tie coat”, which forms the foundation
for subsequent runs. A coated surface is thus built up
progressively on both sides of the scrim, but is not
necessarily of the same thickness on either side.
In the laminating process, the PVC is first
“calendered”, a process whereby PVC resin is heated to
a semi-liquid form, and passed over a series of metal
rollers to form a thin sheet of film. This is subsequently
adhered to the reinforcing scrim in a cold state,
although it can be heat-set. There can also be several
layers of both film and scrim, but most products are
either a “single” laminate, which comprises one layer of
film on the surface of the woven fabric (FIGURE 1a), or
a “double” laminate, which has film on both sides
(FIGURE 1b). As with coated products, the top and
bottom films may be of different thickness.
THE CONTENTS OF THIS TECHNICAL GUIDE ARE COPYRIGHT DECEMBER 2001. NO PART MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT EXPLICIT PERMISSION.
3
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF REINFORCED PVC (cont.)
FIGURE 1a – “Single” Laminate,
film on one side only.
Characteristics of Flexible PVC Film
Polyvinyl chloride is a linear polymer comprised of
a linked chain of carbon, hydrogen and chlorine
molecules. The addition of plasticisers, which are
synthetic oils, softens and adds pliability to the
otherwise rigid material. The most commonly used
plasticisers are Phthalates e.g. Di Octyl Phthalate (DOP).
Other compounds or elements can be added depending
on the desired end-use such as:1. Adipates – a plasticiser added to maintain
stability at low temperatures.
2. Phosphate, Antimony, Zinc and Aluminium –
to provide fire retardant properties.
3. Metals e.g. Lead, Barium, Zinc and Tin –
to stabilise the PVC structure. (Herculite’s films
do not incorporate heavy metals.)
4. Calcium Carbonate – a filler to provide bulk.
5. Pigments – for colour or tint.
6. UV Absorbers/Antioxidants – to give outdoor
weathering properties.
7. Antistatic additives.
8. Bacteriacides/Fungicides – to inhibit mildew.
FIGURE 1b – Structure of a “Double”
Laminate, film on both sides.
Historically, the different processes resulted in
products which were of similar appearance, particularly
in the medium weight range (i.e. 600 ± 100gsm), but
which behaved slightly differently. Because PVC is
applied as a liquid in the coating process, it tends to
seep into the interstices of the scrim, holding each yarn
firmly in place. On the other hand, the solid surface of a
laminated film cannot deform to the extent necessary to
wrap around every single yarn. This allows the yarns
relative freedom of movement to bunch together under
the action of an applied tearing force. Thus, a laminate
with the same scrim as a coated product tends to have a
higher tear strength.
Similarly, for a coated product, the thickness of vinyl
coat on the high points of the scrim was less than on the
low points, compared to the more uniform surface of a
laminate. This meant that for the same weight of vinyl
applied, a laminate tends to have a better abrasion
resistance. On the other hand, mechanical adhesion,
which is the grip that results from the physical
penetration of PVC in the interstices of the scrim, is
higher in a coated product.
In recent years, advances in the technology of both
processes, particularly in the efficiency of adhesives
used in laminates, has to a large extent eliminated these
relative differences. Modern adhesives allow a very
strong chemical bond to be developed with the scrim
itself, thus reducing reliance on mechanical adhesion.
Nonetheless, this historical difference has
influenced market perception of “fitness for use” of
laminates for truck tarps in particular, because of
concern about possible delamination under the action
of wind-whip. This concern is no longer valid.
4
The constituents by weight are approximately as
follows: Polyvinyl Chloride (66.5%), plasticiser (23%
including UV stabiliser), filler (10%) and other additives
(0.5%). These additives, although relatively low in
concentration, have significant impact on finished
product performance and field life. They are also costly,
and cannot be discerned by simple visual inspection.
Thus, the relative features of competing products of
similar appearance can only be compared by careful
evaluation of their specifications and comparison of the
results of identical tests.
PVC is an unusual material in that in rigid form it is
inherently non-flammable, due to the retardant effect of
chlorine, but the addition of plasticiser dramatically
increases its flammability. Without the addition of flame
retardants, flexible reinforced PVC would be unlikely to
pass the most basic of regulatory standards.
Like all thermoplastic materials, PVC softens
under the action of heat, and physical properties are in
part temperature dependent. PVC is not an inert
material, and although it has good overall chemical
resistance, it can be attacked by some formulations
(refer APPENDIX C).
Characteristics of Woven Polyester Scrim
The basic building block of scrim is polyester
filament fibre. The term polyester itself is loosely used to
describe a family of similarly structured esters formed
from the reaction of complex acids and alcohols. In
context of reinforced PVC, polyester is polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), formed by the reaction of
terephalic acid and ethylene glycol. Having a melting
point of 265º Celsius, PET is formed into a continuous
filament through “melt spinning”, a process whereby
resin solids are melted and extruded through a die into
cool air, solidifying on cooling. The filament is twisted
slightly to increase its tensile strength (to form a fibre of
“high tenacity”) and heat set to control fabric shrinkage
during PVC coating or lamination.
High tenacity polyester fibre is very stable, and
relative to other types of synthetic fibres, has many
desirable characteristics, such as good chemical
resistance, low moisture regain (0.4%), good elastic
recovery, and reasonable tensile strength. The raw fibres
are vulnerable to UV degradation, losing up to 20% of
their initial tensile strength over time.
with the coating. It has high tear strength, because the
looseness allows “bunching” of the yarns under the
action of tearing, but relatively low tensile strength
because there aren’t many of them. On the other hand,
a tightly woven scrim has a high tensile strength, but
relatively low tear strength for exactly the opposite
reason. The films on a tightly woven scrim have low
mechanical adhesion, relying almost entirely on a
chemical bond with the scrim.
FIGURE 2b – Plain Weave Scrim
Warp yarn
Nylon, once used in Herculite 80 grade, and still
used in some competitive products, has a slightly higher
tensile strength, but a lower Modulus of Elasticity,
which means it has greater elongation under load. It has
a much higher moisture regain (4.0%) which makes it
susceptible to dimensional instability when exposed to
moisture, a problem of major significance when used
exposed as a backing for tonneau. It also loses up to 80%
of its initial tensile strength when subjected to
prolonged UV exposure.
The filaments themselves are combined into a yarn,
either laid loosely in parallel, or twisted together. The
density of the resultant yarn is expressed as a “denier”,
which is a weight of a standard length of yarn (grams
per 9,000 metres).
Once the yarns are made they are formed into a
base fabric, either by weaving, or simply by
being laid one across the other, and
tied together with a third yarn
(“weft insertion”), as shown
in FIGURE 2a.
Weft yarn
Scrims are described by the number of yarns per
inch in each direction. For example, a “9 x 9 x 1000
denier” scrim, means there are nine yarns, each of 1000
denier per inch in both the weft and warp directions.
There are different types of weave, which are
essentially varied by changing the frequency of looping
the weft yarn. For example, in a “Panama” weave, widely
used in heavier coated fabrics, the yarns are woven in a
“two by two” pattern, illustrated in FIGURE 2c.
FIGURE 2c – “Panama” Weave
FIGURE 2a –
“Weft Insertion”
Scrim
Woven scrims are constructed with yarns that are
interlaced at right angles, those running in the
lengthwise direction called “warp” and the crosswise
direction “weft” or “fill”. For a simple plain weave, the
warp yarns are held tightly stretched in the loom and
the weft yarns inserted over and under every
alternate one, as shown in FIGURE 2b. This causes a
different behaviour of the warp and weft yarns when
loaded. The (approximately) straight warp yarns
simply stretch under load, whereas the bent fill yarns
flatten. Hence tensile strength and elongation are
different in each direction. This effect can be ameliorated (or exacerbated) by using different denier yarns,
or a different number of them in each direction.
The tightness of weave influences the characteristics of the end-product. A loosely woven scrim
allows a high mechanical adhesion to be developed
The terminology of “warp” and “weft” is also used to
describe weft insertion scrims, but because the yarns
deform the same way (by simply stretching), the
ultimate load and elongation characteristics are similar
in each direction. A weft insertion scrim tends to have
lower tear and tensile strengths relative to a plain weave
of the same yarn composition. They are however much
flatter, since the overall thickness approximates two
layers of yarn, compared to three in a woven fabric. This
results in a smoother finish of the PVC film, which is
particularly important when printing of the surface is
envisaged.
5
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF REINFORCED PVC (cont.)
our own specifications. A summary of the product
details is contained in TABLE 1 and specifications
shown in TABLES 4a and 4b. Typical labelling is shown
in FIGURES 3a, 3b and 3c. The labels provide all details
necessary for identification of shipment and manufacturing dates, thus providing an immediate linkage to
the relevant supplier’s quality control procedures.
FIGURE 3a – Typical “Nortex” Labelling
Reinforced and flexible clear PVC used in conjunction.
The plasticisers in each must be compatible,
Surface Finishes
Some reinforced PVC’s have a thin surface coating
applied in order to provide additional protection to the
PVC from UV degradation and improve its cleanability.
Types of finishes can be fluoro compounds such as
polyvinylflouride (PVF), sometimes known by the
tradename “Tedlar”, a registered trade name of DuPont,
or polyvinyldenefluoride (PVDF); or based on Acrylic or
Urethane. These tend to impart a gloss on the surface,
but the fact that a product has a glossy appearance does
not mean that a surface coating has been applied.
Product Dimensions,
Packaging and Labelling
Nolan Warehouses stock a range of branded
reinforced PVC which is manufactured by two main
suppliers, Herculite Products Inc. and Nylex. Our house
brand “Nortex” is manufactured by other suppliers to
Weight
Width
Roll
length
Nolan
order #
FIGURE 3b – Example of Nylex Labelling
Country
of origin
Manufacturer
Product code
Description
Number and
length of pieces
in the roll (if
blank, then
continuous )
Batch number
Width
Nominal roll
length
Nominal weight
per sq. metre
Nylex order
number
Actual net
roll length
Roll number
within batch
Product code
( bar coded )
6
Manufacturer’s
name
Part number
Range name
Nominal
roll length (yards)
Width (metres)
Colour (white)
Roll number
Batch number
Actual roll length
(yards)
FIGURE 3c –
Example of
Herculite
Labelling
TABLE 1 – Product Details *
Product Name
Description (*All Herculite and Nolan product is a double laminate
Nominal
Width
with a polyester weft insertion scrim, unless otherwise noted.)
Weight (gsm) (cm)
Herculite 80 Grade Plain weave scrim. Meets US and Australian military
specifications (MIL-C-3006 Type 1, Class 1).
Length
roll (m)
Weight
roll (kg)
610
127
45.7
36
Suitable for use as a general purpose outdoor fabric,
and for heavy duty single-sided banners.
610
200
22.8
28
Blackout insert and smooth face. Suitable for use as
heavy duty double-sided banners, billboards, marquee
roofs. Compatible with digital print requirements.
610
183
45.7
51
Blackout insert and very smooth face. Suitable for use
as double-sided banners and billboards. Specifically
designed for use with digital printers, and authorised
for use by many machine manufacturers (e.g. Vutec).
440
183
45.7
37
Herculite Bantex
13oz Blackout
“Arizona”
Blackout insert and very smooth face. Suitable for use
as double-sided banners, billboards, marquee walls.
Packaged on a notched core to suit Arizona digital printers.
440
137
22.9
14
Herculite Bantex
10oz Blackout
Blackout insert and ultra smooth face. Suitable for use
as double-sided banners, billboards and marquee walls.
340
183
91.4
57
Herculite Architent Suitable for light weight general purpose use, tent
“Wideside”
walling and wide-width single-sided banners.
340
229
45.7
36
Herculite “T 13”
Translucent
Translucent PVC film on either side. Suitable for poultry
curtains and see-through equipment covers.
440
155
68.6
47
Herculite
Colorguard
Luminescent and light reflective for maximum visibility.
Designed for safety applications.
410
137
91.4
51
Nylex “Mariner”
Boat Hooding
Single laminate, plain weave “dobby” polyester backing.
Surface has a UV stabilised coating. Suitable for all
marine and outdoor applications. Two year warranty.
625
183
30.0
35
Single laminate, plain weave “tear-stop” polyester backing.
Surface has a UV stabilised coating. Suitable for all
automotive and outdoor applications. Two year warranty.
650
183
30.0
36
Suitable for general purpose applications and single
sided banners. UV stabilised, flame retardent.
480
204
40.0
40
600
204
40.0
49
480
480
320
420
50.0
58.0
77
117
Herculite 2000
Herculite Bantex
18oz Blackout
Herculite Bantex
13oz Blackout
Nylex “Nolan”
Tonneau
Nortex II 480
Nortex II Blackout Suitable for marquees and double-sided banners.
UV stabilised, flame retardent.
Nolan “SignMedia” Wide-width, UV stabilised fabric designed for billboards.
7
FABRICATION ADVICE
Product Selection
All Herculite and Nylex reinforced laminates are UV
stabilised, and therefore suited to outdoor use. Overall
weight per square metre is the essential difference
between the types on offer, which as a rule of thumb
determines the expected life, because a heavier product
has a thicker vinyl surface and denser scrim.
Choice of the heaviest weight available is not always
appropriate, particularly when the finished article
needs to be erected and folded. (e.g. tarpaulins and
marquees). The imprint of the scrim in the heavier
weights is also more noticeable, and can be a nuisance
to banner printers, who prefer a smooth surface.
internal mildew staining. Joins should be similarly
overlapped. Internal cuts should be avoided. If they are
necessary, shape them without acute angles, which
encourage tear propagation, and again hem the edge.
Tearing can be initiated by a concentrated point
force applied when the fabric is fully restrained. An
example is the applied force of a rope through an eyelet.
Because of this concentration of force at connecting
points, eyelets are not particularly appropriate forms of
support, even though they are almost universally used.
Fabrics are best supported continuously along the edge,
for example, by using kedar and a track, or a cable along
the edge, which uniformly distributes reactive stress.
In most instances, the critical mechanisms of failure
are either tearing or fatigue cracking, most often
initiated by the action of wind. Some thought to the
design and attention to the detail in the fabrication and
support of the finished product can enhance
significantly its effective service life.
If eyelets are used, the bigger the better, because
the reactive stress in the fabric (i.e. force per unit crosssectional area) is directly proportional to diameter. For
example, for the same applied load, the reactive fabric
stress on an SP 7, which has an internal diameter of
12.7mm, will be approximately 25% less than that on an
SP 4, which has an external diameter of 9.7mm.
Tear
The uniform spacing of eyelets, whilst aesthetically
pleasing, is not particularly efficient at distributing
applied load, which tends to be concentrated at the
corners. Closer spacing of eyelets toward the corners
and wider spacing at the centre is more logical.
An understanding of the mechanism of tearing is
important in order to work out the appropriate ways to
prevent it. Tearing can be either “out-of-plane” (like one
tears a piece of paper) or “in-plane”, as illustrated in
FIGURE 4. Most values for tear strength (refer TABLES
3a and 3b) are derived from “tongue tear tests” which
model “out-of-plane” tearing, and are generally lower
than those derived from “in-plane” tearing tests (e.g.
Trapezoidal Tear).
FIGURE 4 – Types of Tear
“out-of-plane” –
failure due to
shearing of the fibres.
Fatigue Cracking
Fatigue cracking was first identified in the liberty
ships built during the war, and was the reason for a
spate of crashes of the Comet aircraft in the early sixties.
It describes a phenomena whereby constant flexing of
metals can induce failure, even if the applied load is
significantly less than the ultimate strength.
A similar concept applies to reinforced PVC.
Sometimes called “delamination”, it affects both coated
and laminated fabrics, and is usually caused by allowing
the fabric to flap in the wind. The obvious way to avoid
the problem is to hold the exposed fabric under tension,
but this is not always possible, particularly if a concertina concept is incorporated into the design, such as
a folding canopy. In this case, the end-user should be
advised to keep the canopy up or covered, rather than
expose loosely folded fabric to windload. An example
would be a bimini top for a trailer mounted boat, which
is subject to substantial slipstream under tow.
Sewing Thread
“in-plane” – falure
due to fibre extension and break.
Tearing is difficult to initiate, but relatively easily
propagated, especially under the action of a rapidly
applied force, which does not allow time for the scrim
fibres to “bunch” in resistance. Tearing can be started
from the edge, or from an internal join or cut. Tearing
from the edge can obviously be prevented by
appropriate hemming, which should be at least three
ply and if sewn, double stitched. This type of hem also
prevents the ingress of moisture into the scrim
(“wicking”), minimising the likelihood of unsightly
8
Although widely used, cotton thread, or a polycotton blend is not recommended. Cotton is not a
particularly durable material for use in an outdoor
environment. It does not have a very high strength, and
without treatment, frays, rots and mildews. This is why
one sees evidence of seam failure on jobs where the
fabric still has a lot of life left.
The use of a UV stabilised, 100% polyester thread
(such as “SUNGUARD”) is recommended. Polyester
has double the tenacity of cotton, higher abrasion
resistance, and low moisture regain. It will therefore last
much longer than a poly-cotton thread, but even a UV
stabilised thread will lose strength over time.
Welding
All Herculite and Nylex fabrics can be welded,
although some trial and error may be required to
achieve optimum machine settings and speeds, which
is to some extent dependent on the environment,
particularly ambient temperature. There is a plethora of
excellent technical publications and other material
available from the machine manufacturers and trade
associations that provide advice on welding. The “High
Frequency Welding Handbook” produced by the UK
Federation of High Frequency Welders is recommended
particularly, and is the source of the “Weld Fault Finding
Chart”, reproduced in APPENDIX A.
Caution should be exercised when joining two
different brands of PVC laminate to avoid the problem
of “plasticizer migration”, particularly with clear PVC.
Herculite 2000 and Nylex Boat-Hooding have been
tested, and found to be compatible with all Nolan
brands of clear PVC.
Always join fabrics “warp” to “warp” or “weft” to
“weft”, else puckering may occur due to the relative
differences in potential dimensional change (refer
FIGURE 5) in the warp and weft directions. This is also
advisable for aesthetic reasons, as the different alignment of the scrim can be noticed from the reverse side.
FIGURE 5 – Dimensional Change
More rapid deterioration is a sure indication of
plasticiser migration, UV degradation or chemical
attack. The cause can usually be determined by
laboratory analysis, and in the event of a complaint,
samples should be submitted for testing.
Both PVC and polyester are degraded by exposure to
ultra-violet light, and must have UV inhibitors added
to resist prolonged outdoor exposure. These inhibitors
are a sacrificial component, acting similarly to zinc in
cast iron. Eventually, even with inhibitors added, all
products will break down in service. Even though
protected by the vinyl film, the polyester scrim which
provides strength, is affected by UV degradation. Failure
of the composite usually manifests itself in three ways –
colour change, plasticizer loss, and strength loss.
Colour change is usually more pronounced at the
red end of the spectrum, but all colours are affected to
some degree. Plasticizer tends to migrate to the surface,
making it sometimes quite sticky, interacting with
airborne pollutants, and making cleaning difficult. This
can be a problem in a marine environment, or on truck
tarps, where diesel residue leads to unsightly staining.
Strength loss, both tensile and tear, can be
significant and a reason why fabrics should never be
overtensioned. The recommended maximum for both
Herculite 80 grade and Herculite 2000 is 0.24 kN per
metre.
Opacity
Fabric cut from a roll
will tend to contract in
the warp and expand in
the weft direction.
Despite careful quality control, some variations
do occur between production batches. Colour match
tends to be quite exact, but minute differences in film
thickness can occur, usually manifested as a minor
difference in opacity. This is difficult to detect on the
shop floor, but sometimes obvious on the finished job,
especially marquees, particularly when the material is
viewed from the underside. Use of a blackout for
roofing is a sensible precaution, which has the added
advantage of hiding accumulated surface dirt, but
the option is not usually adopted for walling.
When in doubt, use sheets from the same batch.
Dimensional Change
Plasticiser Migration or Loss
PVC is made flexible by the use of plasticisers, of
which there are a variety, all different in molecular
composition. When two PVC’s with different types of
plasticisers are brought into contact, plasticiser tends to
“migrate” from one to the other. The movement can be
compared to water flowing between two connected
tanks, with initially different surface levels, which
continues until parity occurs. The “migration” of
plasticiser is slow, and can take several months for it to
become evident, either through changes in stiffness or
dimension.
Stiffening or cracking is inevitably the result of
plasticiser loss, and is irreversible. The process is
normal, and gradual deterioration will occur over the
life of the product, which should be at least five years,
particularly if the surface is cleaned regularly.
Shrinkage of the composite is usually minor
compared to unreinforced PVC. The polyester
scrim, heat set to stabilise it before lamination,
counteracts the tendency of unreinforced PVC to
contract in a direction along the roll, and expand in a
direction across it. This dimensional change is due to
the release of the stresses induced during manufacture,
and the paradoxical tendency of thermoplastics to
contract when subjected to elevated temperature.
Herculite’s literature recommends that the fabric be
unrolled and laid flat at room temperature (20 ºC) for
half an hour before setting out and cutting, which is a
sensible precaution, and also suggests that a further
allowance of 3% be made for contraction. This would
seem conservative given the test results for Herculite
2000 and Nylex Boat-Hooding (refer APPENDIX D),
which showed no measurable dimensional change for
samples immersed in water, and good recovery after
tensioning at elevated temperature. Nonetheless, it is
prudent to allow for some contraction, either in the
method of restraint or in tolerances in setting out.
9
FABRICATION ADVICE (continued)
Unusual Applications
PVC is not inert, and although it has good overall
chemical resistance (refer APPENDIX C), generic
reinforced PVC cannot be used in every application.
Examples where special products or coatings are
needed are abattoir curtains, fish tank liners, and oil
booms. The physical environment, particularly in
building construction and mining applications is also
important. For example, fabric used to manufacture
chutes for containing construction debris will be
subject to high abrasion, and cannot be expected to
have an extended life. Similarly, concrete curing
blankets, unless carefully sealed along the edges, can be
affected by high pressure steam.
Herculite manufacture reinforced laminates for
speciality purposes. These are of similar construction to
the general industrial range, but with additives to the
vinyl or adhesive that make them bacteria resistant,
stain resistant, and anti-static. These fabrics are not UV
stabilised and are designed for indoor use only, and are
marketed mainly to the medical industry under the
brand name “Sure. Chek”. Nonetheless, they may be
functional for use in other applications, such as food
processing (Sure. Chek 44 XL), fire blankets (Sure. Chek
FFB), and low-static computer covers (Sure. Chek
Lectrolite). Details of the Sure. Chek range are contained
in Technical Guide Number Four.
Cleaning and Care
In general, most soiling can be removed with warm
soapy water and several clear water rinses. If necessary,
a 1:10 dilution of household bleach containing 5.25%
Sodium Hypochlorite will not harm the fabric.
Moderate scrubbing with a medium bristle will help
loosen the soiling agent from the depressions of
embossed surfaces. Powdered abrasives, steel wool and
industrial strength cleaners are not recommended, as
they will dull the surface gloss. Dry cleaning fluids
and lacquer solvents attack the surface, and should not
be used.
Certain stains may become set if they are not
removed immediately, so act quickly. Fresh stains such
as lipstick, shoe polish, suntan cream and grease can be
wiped with a cloth impregnated with methylated spirits,
then washed with soapy water. Dry stains should be
coated with a paste made of equal parts of talcum
powder and a dilute solution of bleach, allowed to dry
and then cleaned off with methylated spirits.
PAINTING AND PRINTING
Surface Preparation
Plasticiser migrates to the surface over time and can
interfere with ink adhesion. Prolonged exposure to heat
will exacerbate the problem, which can be ameliorated
by wiping the surface with Isopropyl alcohol. This
should not be necessary if stock is less than three
months old.
Ink Receptivity
Product Selection
Choice of the appropriate material depends on the
installation (i.e. indoors or outdoors), the nature of the
printing process, and the types of paints or inks to be
used. As a rule of thumb, all Herculite “Bantex” and
Nortex II products stocked by Nolan Warehouses are
compatible with vinyl sensitive pressure lettering or
graphics, vinyl based paints and solvent based screen
printing inks. They are not suited to enamel paints or
the “E-stat” or “thermal ink-jet” printing processes.
From a printing aspect, they are compatible with
solvent ink-jet printers, but the width and set-up
requirements dictate choice. A guide to the selection of
product for the various brands of digital printers is
shown in TABLE 2.
10
The chemistry of inks is complex, and their
interaction with a vinyl substrate always a little
uncertain. Ink receptivity depends on the relative
surface tension of the ink and the substrate. If the ink
solution forms beads, it is not wetting the surface, and
therefore its surface tension exceeds that of the
substrate. If a solution wets the surface, the reverse is
the case. For good ink adhesion, the substrate should
have a surface energy higher than the ink to be applied
to it. Surface tension is measured in dynes or dyne/cm,
a typical value for untreated PVC being between 32
and 37, which can be increased by Corona discharge
treatment or topcoating.
Herculite caution reliance on generalised data, and
strongly recommend pre-testing to ensure ink
receptivity. As there is no standard procedure for this,
Herculite have developed a test method that has been
widely adopted as the standard in the US banner
industry. A full description of the test method is
contained in APPENDIX B.
11
Piezo
Piezo
Piezo
Piezo
Piezo
Piezo
Piezo
Piezo
Piezo
Piezo
Piezo
Piezo
Piezo
Piezo
Vutek Press Vu
Vutek 2360
Vutek 3360
Vutek 3300
Vutek 5300
Scitex Grandjet S2
Scitex Grandjet S3
Scitex Grandjet S5
Nur Fresco
Nur BluBoard
Nur Salsa 1500
Nur Salsa 2400
Nur Salsa 3200
Nur Salsa 5000
Airbrush
Piezo
Rastergraphics 1100
Vutek 1600
Piezo
Type
192”
126”
96”
60”
196.8”
72”
196”
127”
94”
204”
126”
126”
82”
72”
196”
110”
54”
Max width
190”x Roll length
120”x Roll length
96”x Roll length
60”x Roll length
196”x Roll length
71.5”x Roll length
195”x Roll length
126”x Roll length
86”x Roll length
192”x Roll length
120”x Roll length
120”x Roll length
80”x Roll length
192”x Roll length
108”x Roll length
Image size
MACHINE CHARACTERISTICS
Rastergraphics Arizona 180
BRAND OF MACHINE
(Solvent Inkjet)
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
Wideside
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
Bantex 13oz
(Blackout)
Bantex 10oz
(Blackout)
PVC MEDIA
✔
Nortex II
(incl. Blackout)
TABLE 2 – Digital Printers Cross Reference
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
Bantex 18oz
(Blackout)
PAINTING AND PRINTING (continued)
The test can be applied to any type of PVC film, and
is designed to assess their suitability for decoration with
printing inks and/or lettering enamels. The inks may
be based on vinyl, acrylic or other polymer resins,
dissolved or dispersed in organic solvents or water. The
paints may be alkyd lettering enamels or other
formulations.
The test measures ink receptivity based on three
criteria:(1) Adequate drying or curing within a
designated time.
(2) Adequate adhesion to the surface when
dried or cured.
(3) Resistance to rewetting or loss of adhesion
under accelerated aging.
Samples are first screen printed, preferably using
mesh that resembles the production as closely as
possible, and allowed to dry or cure. The adequacy of
the drying or curing is tested by dragging a weighted
cotton gauze over the inked area. Adhesion is tested by
fastening cellotape firmly to the surface of the painted
area, and then peeling it off. If no ink or paint is
removed in either case, the drying/curing and adhesion
is adequate. Accelerated aging is simulated in an oven.
Samples are stacked one on top of the other under a
piece of glass and heated for 24 hours at 135 º F, and
then examined for blocking (adhesion to each other).
The drying/curing and cellotape adhesion tests are
then repeated.
With permission from Herculite, Nolan Warehouses
have arranged for AWTA Testing Ltd to carry out this test
here in Australia. Contact your nearest branch for
assistance.
Screen Printing
A weighted piece of
gauze is dragged over
the test area. If no ink
or paint adheres to
the gauze, dry/cure
is adequate.
Following the ink manufacturers recommendations on application rates and curing times is
essential. To minimise the risk of blocking, the following
commonsense suggestions are made:• Reduce the total ink mass, by using the highest mesh
count that is practical.
• When using solvent based inks, allow at least 24 hours
drying time before screening over existing work.
• For double-sided banners, there are practical
limitations on the amount of ink that can be applied
on either side. This is because ink solvents become
entrapped in the substrate, which can result in rewetting.
If Scotch tape
does not remove
ink or paint
(refer ASTM
D3359 for
procedure),
adhesion is
adequate.
Rewet tendencies can be guaged by covering a printed
sample with like material, covering them with a piece of glass,
and after oven baking at 135ºF for 24 hours, checking the
cover sheet for transferred ink.
12
• Use slip sheets between finished banners and avoid
direct contact between printed surfaces.
Wind Load on Banners –
“A Hole Lot Better?”
The practice of cutting holes in banners, purportedly to allow wind to escape, is widespread. But how
effective is it as a means of reducing wind load? Not
very. Why? The reason is simple. The magnitude of the
wind load applied to an object is directly proportional
to the effective area exposed to the wind, and cutting
holes does not reduce this effective area by very much.
The effective area is a function of two factors. First,
the wind direction. The load on the banner will be
considerably less if the wind is blowing from side-on
rather than front-on. The second factor is the surface
area exposed to the wind. Take as an example a three
metre by one metre banner, which has a surface area of
three square metres. The streamline action of the wind
on this banner is shown in FIGURE 6a. Now let’s cut
some holes in it, say ten of them, each 200mm in
diameter. The action of the wind now is shown in
FIGURE 6b. The holes allow those wind streamlines
impinging directly on them to pass through, but have
no effect at all on those impinging on the rest of the
banner. Thus, the effect of the holes is simply
Furthermore, a ten percent reduction in wind load
can be achieved just as effectively by reducing the
overall size of the banner by ten percent, say by folding
and seaming the material 50mm along the top and the
bottom, as shown in FIGURE 7b. This has a significant
added advantage of a 33% strengthening of the points
where wind damage is most likely to occur – at the
stressed eyelets.
FIGURE 6 – Effect on wind
“streamlines” of a hole cut into a banner.
Figure 6a
Figure 6b
proportional to their area, which can be calculated as
(10 x π x 0.2 2 ÷ 4) = 0.31 square metres, about ten percent
of the total surface of the banner. Therefore, the cutting
of ten holes of this size has reduced the wind load by ten
percent. But at the price of completely defacing the
banner, as shown in FIGURE 7a.
Cut fewer and smaller holes? Sure, but any
beneficial effect on wind load is even less, and the
vandalism is still there.
All of this is unnecessary if a logical and comprehensive approach is taken. The limiting factor is the
material itself. The heavier the supporting scrim, the
better the physical properties of the material, but the
less smooth the printing surface. Because of this tradeoff, most banner substrates on offer weigh about 10
oz/yd 2, which is really not adequate for high wind
exposure. In this environment, opt for a 13oz/yd 2 or
even 18oz/yd 2, which has double the tensile strength
and four times the tear strength of a 10oz/yd 2 material.
The most important factors are how the banner is
fabricated and supported. Always ensure the connection points are adequately reinforced. When
installed, the banner should be kept taut to reduce the
likelihood of flapping, and attached from as many
points as possible to avoid concentration of stress.
FIGURE 7 – The effect on wind load of cutting “windholes” is identical to reducing the overall
size of the banner by the total area of the holes. The reactive force F is the same in each case
Figure 7a
Figure 7b
13
PROPERTIES AND TEST METHODS
Australian Standards and
Manufacturer’s Specifications
There is no general Australian Standard applicable
to reinforced PVC. Australian Standard AS 1440-1973
“Vinyl (PVC) coated fabrics for upholstery and other
purposes” and its sister Standard AS 1441 “Methods of
tests for coated fabrics” have been withdrawn, soon
to be replaced by the equivalent ISO standards.
Nonetheless, the test methods in these standards are
still applicable and widely used, being very similar to
International standards.
Australian Standard AS 2930 -1987 “Textiles –
Coated Fabrics for Tarpaulins” sets physical criteria for
the classification of reinforced PVC into the categories
of heavy duty, medium duty, light duty, and extra light
duty; and minimum performance standards for all
categories.
Although some elements of them are useful for
benchmarking, neither of the above standards, in
particular the latter, are really relevant to Herculite and
Nylex, which are laminated, not coated products.
Consequently, during the course of preparation of this
Guide, the advice of the AWTA Textile Testing Ltd was
sought on the type of testing that would be most
applicable to general purpose use, particularly for
marine exposure, always tough on any textile. On the
basis of their recommendation, a series of tests were
conducted on Herculite 2000 and Nylex Boat-Hooding,
designed to simulate this environment. Particular
emphasis was placed on measuring physical properties
before and after exposure to ultra-violet light,
dimensional change, and resistance to mildew.
TABLE 3a – AWTA Testing;
Summary of results for Nylex Boat-Hooding and Herculite 2000
Property
Test method
Value specified in
AS 2930 for “medium
duty” tarpaulin fabric
Result for Nylex
Boat-Hooding
Result for
Herculite 2000
Breaking force
AS 2001.2.3 -1988
2000 N/50mm (warp)
1600 N/50mm (weft)
2134
1542
1455
1207
Tear force
BS 3424.5-1982
400 Newtons (warp)
300 Newtons (weft)
267
403
458
549
Flex cracking
AS 1441.6-1973
400,000 cycles
200,000
200,000
Colour fastness
AS 2001.4.3
Rating not less than
4 to 5
4 to 5
4 to 5
Flammability
AS 2755.2
Specimen shall not
burn to first marker
thread after 15 secs
Did not comply
Complied
TABLE 3b – AWTA Testing;
Summary of results for Nylex Boat-Hooding and Herculite 2000
Property
Test method
Change after
UV exposure:(1) Breaking strength AS 2001.2.3
14
Method of test, or
criteria for assessment
Result for Nylex
Boat-Hooding
Result for
Herculite 2000
56 days continuous
exposure to 500 Watt lamp
– 5.4% warp
– 23.3% weft
– 9.3%
–12.5%
– 6.0% warp
– 8.4% weft
– 20.5%
– 3.3%
(2) Tear strength
BS 3424.5
Hydrostatic
pressure
AS 2001.2.17
Limit of test machine
is 250kpa, equivalent
to 26 metres of water
>250kpa
>250kpa
Fungal
resistance
AS 1157.2-1998
Rating from 0 (no growth)
to 5 (heavy growth)
0 (no growth)
0 (no growth)
Residual elastic
extension
BS 4952-1992
Extension after loading
to 120 N/50mm and
relaxing after 30 mins
0%
0%
The results for Herculite 2000 and Nylex BoatHooding are summarised in TABLE 3a and TABLE 3b.
Based on total weight, both products are “medium” duty
as defined by AS 2930 -1987. Consequently, the values
in this category are shown in TABLE 3a. Test reports are
reproduced in APPENDIX D.
The tests were not repeated on every product,
because of similarity of formulation, which would
have meant results being duplicated. Comparative
physicals can be gleaned from Herculite’s specifications
(TABLE 4a).
Breaking Force and Residual
Elastic Extension
Breaking force is a measure of the ultimate strength
of the fabric. It is measured (AS 2001.2.3 -1988) by
gripping a sample 100mm long x 50mm wide in the jaws
of an hydraulic machine, and stretching to failure. The
maximum force before break is measured, and divided
by the width of the fabric, the result expressed as
Newtons per 50 millimetres. Also measured is the
elongation at failure, which is expressed as a percentage
of the original length. The breaking force for Herculite
2000 and Nylex Boat-Hooding are different, but the
extension at break for both fabrics are approximately
similar (20% to 25%) in both warp and weft directions.
The specified values of breaking load for other
Herculite products are presented in TABLE 4a. Although
the US test (ASTM D 5034 -95) is similar to the
Australian Standard AS 2001.2.3 -1988, the sample size
is different, and the hydraulic machine can be operated
differently, for example under constant increments of
load, rather than extension. This means the results of
US and Australian tests cannot be directly compared.
The breaking strength of a reinforced PVC is not a
particularly good performance indicator for a number
of reasons. First there is a very strong inverse relationship between tensile strength and tear strength. In other
words, reinforced PVC’s that have a high tensile
strength, tend to have a relatively low tear strength, and
vice versa. This phenomenon is illustrated by the
relative values of Nylex Boat-Hooding and Herculite
2000 in TABLE 3a. It tends to be more pronounced in
coated products because of the high mechanical
adhesion between the scrim and the PVC.
TABLE 4a – Typical properties for Herculite product
Product
Weight
Flame resistance
(oz/yd) After flame Char length
(secs)
(ins)
Adhesion
(lbs/2ins)
Break strength Tear strength Hydrostatic
(lbs/in)
(lbs)
burst
warp weft
warp weft
(psi)
Herculite 80 Grade 18.4
0.4
2.8
20.0
330
328
122
132
500
Herculite 2000
17.9
1.7
3.3
13.9
240
228
115
115
390
Herculite Bantex
18oz Blackout
18.0
2.0
4.0
13.4
255
220
105
115
370
Herculite Bantex
13oz Blackout
13.0
1.7
4.5
5.0
200
135
5.9
5.0
260
Herculite Bantex
10oz Blackout
10.0
1.5
4.5
5.0
182
121
6.3
5.8
250
Herculite Architent
“Wideside”
10.4
0.4
4.4
11.0
111
122
22
35
180
Herculite “T13”
Translucent
13.7
1.0
4.0
8.0
250
235
130
120
350
Herculite
Colorguard
11.5
n/a
n/a
15.0
132
120
21
41
205
TABLE 4b – Product specifications for Nylex
Product
Weight
(gsm)
Coating Mass
(g/m2 )
Adhesion
(N/50mm)
Breaking Force
(N)
Wing Rip
(N)
warp weft
warp weft
Nylex Boat-Hooding
600-650
440
35
900
500
140
100
Nolan Tonneau
635 -655
380
35
900
500
140
100
15
PROPERTIES AND TEST METHODS (continued)
The graphs plot the relationship between stress
(applied load) and strain (deformation) for a plain
weave reinforced PVC under different ratios of load in
each direction, the graphs showing behaviour in the
warp and weft direction respectively, plotted to the
same scale. There are a number of relevant points to
note:• The behaviour in each direction is different, and
depends on the magnitude of the relative load in the
other direction.
• The relationship between stress and strain is
approximately linear to a certain point (termed the
elastic limit) and then curves. If stretched beyond this
point, the fabric is permanently deformed and will
not return to its original shape.
• The elastic limit is much less than the ultimate failure
load.
• The value of the elastic limit, and the corresponding
strain are dependent on the relative loading in each
direction.
Clearly, stressing the fabric beyond the elastic limit
is not desirable. For this reason, Herculite 2000 and
Nylex Boat-Hooding were tested to BS 4932 to
determine their “Residual Extension Properties”.
Although only a uniaxial test, both fabrics when
tensioned to 120 N/50mm, about one tenth of their
ultimate load, returned to their original state when the
load was released. The elongation under load was less
than 3% in either direction. Similar figures were
attained after oven aging.
Rarely, in general purpose usage (as opposed to
Tension Structures), is reinforced PVC tensioned
deliberately, most load being induced by dimensional
change or wind. The testing above would seem to
indicate that both materials should maintain their
elasticity if not stretched beyond four percent, or loaded
to more than 0.24kN/metre.
Tear Strength
All Herculite fabrics are tested to ASTM D -1996
“Tearing strength of fabrics by tongue (single rip) procedure”, which is similar to AS 2001.2.10 “Determination
of the tear resistance of woven textile fabrics by the
wing rip method”, to which Nylex fabrics are tested.
These methods measure the force required to
propagate a tear in a sample that has already been cut.
Thus the result does not represent the force required to
initiate a tear. In both methods, a rectangular sample is
cut in the centre of the short edge to form a two tongued
16
(trouser shaped) specimen, in which one tongue is
gripped in the upper, and the other in the lower jaw of
a tensile testing machine. The two jaws are pulled
apart at a constant rate of extension, and the force
developed, plotted until failure. The difference between
the US and Australian Standard tests is in the size of
sample and depth of initial cut, and rate of extension
(the US standard 50mm/minute being half that of the
Australian).
The rate of extension has an important bearing on
the results. A fabric torn slowly allows the movement
and bunching of yarns, which then acting together,
resist tear much more effectively. When a fabric is torn
rapidly, the individual yarns are broken one by one, and
the tear resistance dependent on the tensile strength of
the single fibres. One of the benefits of a “rip-stop”
backing is that the inclusion of slightly heavier yarns
periodically in the overall weave tends to slow the rate
of applied tear.
To simulate the effect of an eyelet shearing the
fabric, both Herculite 2000 and Nylex Boat-Hooding
were tested to British Standard BS 3424.5-1982 “Tear
Strength – Tongue Method”. In this test, the sample has
two parallel cuts made to form a “tongue”. The test
procedure is similar to a “single rip”, with the tongue
held in one jaw, and the two parallel strips in the other.
Because two tears are required to be propagated
rather than one, logic would suggest that the results of
a “tongue” test should be higher than a “single rip”.
However, the results do not show this, and in fact imply
the opposite. This illustrates the difficulty of comparing
the results of differing test methods.
FIGURE 8a – Hypothetical stress/strain
curves for a reinforced PVC under bi-axial
(two directional) loading.
WARP DIRECTION
Load Ratio 1:1
Load (Stress)
Secondly, the significance of elongation, and
consequent loss of elasticity is often overlooked. The
growth in popularity of tensioned structures has led to
extensive research on the elastic behaviour of reinforced PVC’s, particularly under biaxial loading, that
is, when the fabric is stretched in both warp and weft
directions at the same time. Although such testing has
not yet been undertaken on Herculite, the hypothetical
graphs (FIGURES 8a and 8b) demonstrate the type of
behaviour that can be expected of this material under
cyclic loading beyond the elastic limit.
Load Ratio 2:1
A
A
1st Loading
2nd loading
Elastic Limit
Stretch Set
(warp direction)
Deformation (Strain)
TABLE 5 – Effect of UV on tensile and tear properties
Nylex Mariner Hooding
Original
Exposed*
Herculite 2000
Original
Exposed*
Property
Test method
Tensile strength
AS 2001.2.3
(N/50mm)
2134 (warp)
1542 (weft)
2018 (-5.4%)
1183 (-23.2%)
1455 (warp)
1261 (weft)
1319 (-9.3%)
1207 (-4.2%)
BS 3424.5
(Newtons)
267 (warp)
403 (weft)
251 (-6.0%)
369 (-8.4%)
458 (warp)
549 (weft)
364 (-20.5%)
476 (-13.2%)
Tear strength
* Specimens exposed for 1344 hours to an MBTF lamp as per AWEX 33 - 2000 at 500 Watts.
Ultra-Violet Resistance
The resistance of reinforced vinyls to degradation
from ultra-violet light can be measured by prolonged
exposure to sunlight, or in an artificial test apparatus.
The latter is usually preferred, since the results can be
obtained relatively quickly, and the extent of exposure
controlled.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to co-relate these types
of accelerated UV-test results with expected life, since
UV exposure in nature is not constant, and depends on
location and environmental factors. Marine canopies,
for example are subject to a great deal of reflected UV
light from the water, and exposure from day to day is
dependent on cloud cover.
There are also a number of different accelerated UVtests, and it is impossible to compare the results from
these tests directly. Typically, a specimen is exposed to a
concentrated light source across the spectrum of UV-A,
B, and C radiation for a controlled number of hours.
This can be done continuously, or in cycles.
The specifications for both Nylex and Herculite
require that their ranges be routinely tested in a
FIGURE 8b – Hypothetical stress/strain
curves for a reinforced PVC under bi-axial
(two directional) loading.
WEFT DIRECTION
Strength loss depends on the degree of exposure, as
well as duration. Tests undertaken by AWTA, using a
powerful 500 watt laboratory lamp showed that
Herculite 2000 and Nylex Boat-Hooding had strength
loss of up to 20% (refer TABLE 5) after 60 days
continuous exposure.
Mildew Resistance
Although PVC itself has an inherent resistance to
microbiological attack, additives such as plasticizers
and stabilisers can serve as nutrients for fungi and
bacteria. These micro-organisms require only a source
of energy, carbon for cell structure, nitrogen for amino
acid, essential minerals and water. They are very
efficient at synthesising these biochemicals from the
most basic molecules.
For this reason both the Herculite 2000 and Nylex
Boat-Hooding were tested to, and passed Australian
Standard AS 1157.2-1978 for mildew resistance. The test
requires deliberately exposing a
sample to a culture of mildew in
an environment that encourages
growth, and examining by eye the
extent that growth is retarded on
the sample after a specified period
of time.
Load (Stress)
Load Ratio 1:1
QUV Accelerated Weathering Machine. For example,
Herculite 80 grade Milspec was tested by method 1915804 (US Federal Standard) which involves exposure
to an artificial source of ultra-violet radiation, with
intermittent water spray. After 2000 hours (83 days), the
fabric showed minimal discolouration, and had lost
three percent of its initial tensile strength. This level of
exposure correlates roughly with two years exposure in
South Florida, considered a high UV zone in the US.
B
1st Loading
2nd loading
Elastic Limit
Stretch Set (weft direction)
Load Ratio 2:1
B
Deformation (Strain)
17
PROPERTIES AND TEST METHODS (continued)
Hydrostatic Resistance
Both Herculite 2000 and Nylex Boat-Hooding were
tested to Australian Standard AS 2001.2.17-1987
“Resistance of Fabrics to Water Penetration”. The test is
conducted by clamping a circular sample material of
75mm in diameter to form a diaphragm over a chamber
which is pressurised with water at a rate of one kpa per
minute. Water is deemed to have penetrated when three
droplets appear, and the pressure at this point
determined as the hydrostatic resistance. The results for
both products were in excess of 250 kpa, which is a
pressure equivalent to a column of water 26 metres high
above the material. US Standard ASTM D751A is similar,
except that the fabric is tested to failure. The result for
Herculite 2000 was 2.69 Mpa, about ten times the
maximum limit of the equivalent Australian test.
These results show that the fabrics are unlikely to
leak, even in the most extreme conditions. If leakage
does occur, it is almost certainly due to puncturing or
seepage through joins or seams. The results also
demonstrate the potential of the fabrics to resist
bursting due to wind, which is also a pressure. This
illustrates the importance of proper support of banners,
and the futility of cutting “wind holes”.
Adhesion
Adhesion is the force required to separate the vinyl
coating from the scrim. Nylex routinely test to AS
1441.5. In this test, a sample 50mm by 200mm is
partially stripped to a distance of 75mm, and the force
required to separate the remainder of the backing from
the sample then measured. The minimum result for
both Boat-Hooding and Tonneau is 35 Newtons.
Herculite 90 (now superseded) was also tested to AS
1441.5, and the result exceeded 40 Newtons.
The specification for Herculite 2000 calls
for a minimum value of 31 Newtons (warp F
direction) and 53 Newtons (fill direction).
For convenience of measurement,
F
Herculite have developed their own “free
peel” test, the results of which are quoted
in their specification. In this test, a piece of vinyl film is
welded to the face of a sample, and peeled from it.
Because of weaknesses at the weld joints, this “free peel”
method tends to give lower results than a standard test
and are therefore comparatively understated.
Solar Transmittance and Reflectance
Solar radiation comprises a full spectrum of
frequencies ranging from ultra-violet, which causes
sunburn, to infra-red, which is heat. White Herculite 80
grade was tested to ASTM E 1175 to give an indication of
the amount of radiation that would be reflected and
transmitted by the material. For angles of incidence of
between zero and sixty degrees, a maximum of eight
18
percent transmittance, and seventy four percent
reflectance was measured. This implies that the
remaining radiation (approximately eighteen percent)
was absorbed, which demonstrates the importance of
UV inhibitors in the product. All the radiation transmitted would be at the visible or infa-red end of the
spectrum, since the ultra-violet would be reflected or
absorbed by the material.
Flammability
There are many different flammability tests, not all
of which are relevant to Reinforced PVC. AS 2930
“Textiles – Coated Fabrics for Tarpaulins” calls up the
test method AS 2755.2-1998 “Measurement of Flame
Spread of Vertically Oriented Specimens”. This is typical
of what are termed “strip burn” tests, in which a small
piece (‘strip’) of material is subjected to a flame for
several seconds, and the burning behaviour observed.
In AS 2755.2, a series of evenly spaced markers are
drawn on the sample, which is subjected to a propane
gas flame. Herculite 2000 “failed to burn to the first
marker thread” after a 15 second application of flame,
thus meeting the minimum criteria of AS 2930.
AS 3937-1991 “Light-Transmitting Screens and
Curtains for Welding Operations” calls up AS 1441.13
“Flammability of Coated Fabrics”, which is another type
of “strip burn” test. In this test, a bunsen flame is
applied to a sample for 12 secs and removed. The
“duration of after flame”, which is the time taken for the
sample to extinguish, and the “char length”, which is
the extent of burn, are measured. The maximum values
allowable in AS 3937 are five seconds and 150mm
respectively. This test is almost identical to ASTM D
6413-99, to which all Herculite product is tested, typical
results being less than the AS 3937 specified minimums.
Reinforced PVC can be used for drop down blinds
or screen enclosures in domestic and commercial
buildings, and use in this context may be affected and
governed by the prescriptive requirements of the
Building Code of Australia. In some states, there are also
regulations for temporary structures such as tents and
marquees. These regulations are summarised below.
The test methods specified in the regulations are
either AS 1530 part II or AS 1530 part III, or both. These
are distinctly different tests. Part II is another “strip
flame” test in which an empirical “Flammability Index”
is calculated from measurements of how quickly or to
what extent the specimen burns, and the heat
generated. This “Flammability Index” is expressed on a
scale of zero (low risk) to 100 (high risk).
The AS 1530 part III test is designed to simulate the
characteristics of materials subjected to the effects of
radiant energy from a fire developing elsewhere in the
room. A test specimen 600mm x 450mm is subject to
an intense source of radiated heat and its burning
behaviour from ignition to extinction observed. The
results are expressed in the form of four indices,
sometimes termed “Early Fire Hazard Indices” (which
should not be confused with the “Flammability Index”
of AS 1530 pt II). Only two of these indices - the “Spread
of Flame Index”, and the “Smoke Developed Index” are
referred to in the Building Code.
The “Spread of Flame Index” is a measure of how
quickly a fire propagates, expressed on a scale of 0 to 10.
The higher the value, the worse the result. The “Smoke
Developed Index” is also expressed on a scale of 0 to 10,
with each increment representing a bifold increase of
the smoke emitted.
Herculite 80 grade has been tested to both AS 1530
pt II and III, and the results are reproduced in TABLE 6.
These results are out of date, as they were carried out
some time ago, and the test procedures, particularly
with regard to support of the sample, have changed
slightly. However, because of similarity in composition,
it would be reasonable to expect that results for the
current generation of fabrics would not differ
materially.
Some product applications require a certificate of
compliance from the manufacturer, for example, to
comply with aviation or military specifications. All
Herculite’s products comply with requirements of FAR
25.857 for class C cargo compartments (for aircraft).
Herculite 80 grade complies with MIL-C-43006 (for
US and Australian military).
Flammability – Building Code
of Australia Requirements
First published in 1990, the Building Code of
Australia has set flammability standards for “attachments to ceilings, walls or floors”. These requirements
are outlined in Section C “Fire Resistance” and
Specification C 1.10 “Fire Hazard Properties”, and refer
to AS 1530 test methods and results.
The maximum allowable test results specified in
the Building Code for various types of buildings are
summarised as follows:I.
There are no requirements for single domestic
dwellings.
II. Materials used in attached dwellings, multiple
occupancy buildings (including boarding houses
and hotels), and most commercial buildings (such
as cafes, restaurants, offices and schools) are
subject to maximum limits as follows:Spread of Flame Index
9 (max)
Smoke Developed Index 8 (max)
III. The requirements are much more stringent in units,
hostels, hotels and places of public assembly, if the
blinds or screens are located in a public corridor
which is a means of egress to a fire isolated
passageway or fire isolated stairway, or external
stairway used instead. In this case the maximum
limits are:Spread of Flame Index
0 (max)
Smoke Developed Index 5 (max)
IV. NSW has special provisions applicable to assembly
buildings used as a place of public entertainment.
Any material used as a blind must have a
“Flammability Index” of no more than six. In
addition, the blind must have a label affixed stating
the name of the manufacturer, and the tradename
and description of the materials used.
Herculite complies with (I), (II) and (IV) but not (III)
above.
Flammability – Requirements for
Temporary Structures (NSW and Victoria)
NSW is the only state that has formal provisions
included in the Building Code of Australia for temporary
structures used as places of public entertainment.
Fabric that is used in the construction of a temporary
structure must have:(a) A “Flammability Index” of not more than 6 where
used within a height of 4 metres from the base of the
structure, or in an air supported temporary
structure without other supporting framework.
(b) A “Flammability Index” of not more than 25 in every
other case.
Victoria requires an occupancy permit for tents,
marquees and booths with a floor area over 100m 2.
Materials may not have a “Smoke Developed Index” of
more than 7, if the “Spread of Flame Index” is zero. If the
latter is greater than zero (to a maximum allowable
value of 6), the “Smoke Developed Index” must be no
greater than 3 (for materials used in the roof) or 5 (for
materials used in the walls).
Herculite complies with these requirements.
Chemical Properties
Flexible PVC is resistant to most inorganic liquids,
including moderately concentrated acids and alkalis,
and aqueous salt solutions. It is also unaffected by
aliphatic hydrocarbons, the principal constituents of
most oils and greases. It is attacked by powerful
oxidising agents (such as hydrogen peroxide), acetone,
alcohols and ammonia, chemicals sometimes found in
some industrial cleaners. A summary of the chemical
resistance of flexible PVC is contained in APPENDIX C.
TABLE 6 – AS 1530 pt II and pt III results for Herculite 80 grade
Standard
AS 1530 pt II “Flammability Index”
AS 1530 pt III “Spread of Flame Index”
“Smoke Developed Index”
Range of result
Result for 80 grade
0 (low risk) to 100 (high risk)
1
0 (low) to 10 (high)
0 (low) to 10 (high)
0
7
19
20
CAUSES
•
• •
• •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
X •
Large surface welding:
differential energy distribution)
•
•
•
•
• •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• X
•
• •
•
•
•
•
• • • • •
• •
• •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• •
•
•
•
• • • •
• •
•
•
•
• •
• •
•
•
•
• •
• • •
• •
• • • •
X = Refers only to the bonding of coated film to coated boards
• •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• •
• • • •
•
X •
• • •
•
•
• •
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52
Surface scorching
Tendancy to arcing (especially
with thin or rigid films)
Formation of folds
(corrugation)
Air inclusion in welded articles
with card inserts
Gloss variation next to weld
Poor weld impression and
variation within weld
Formation of bulges and
blisters on reverse side of weld
Deformed welds
Tear seal not properly welded
(ragged tear line)
Bursting of tear seal on
inflation
Poor resistance to tear
propagation
Film breaks within weld
Film breaks on edge of weld
Weld opens up
FAULTS
Weld Fault Finding Chart
APPENDIX A
40. Torn when too warm
41. Film tendency to gloss
42. Missing or insufficient packing
43. Card insert too thin
44. Film not destrained
45. Disregarding orientation of film
46. Film used have greatly different thickness
47. If adhesive coated, type of adhesive unsuitable
48. Excessive weld area/generator output ratio
49. Too small weld area/generator output ratio
50. Unfavourable generator characteristics
51. Material unsuitable for welding
52. Maladjusted standing wave correctors
14. Electrode penetrates too deeply (especially on folding welds)
15. Difference in height of weld to tear seal too small
16. Difference in height of weld to tear seal too high
17. Height of electrodes does not match differential thickness of layer
18. Tear seal too blunt
19. Tear seal too sharp
20. Temperature of electrode too low (where heater box is used)
21. Temperature of electrode too high (where heater box is used)
22. Temperature variation over electrode area (i.e. hot spots and cold spots)
23. Damaged or dirty tools
24. Insufficient rigidity in electrode mountings
25. Unsuitable barrier material
26. Thermal barrier material too thick
35. Conductive printing inks
9. Electrode too narrow
39. Material layers too thick in contour (tear seal) welding
34. Dirty surface
8. Depth stop incorrectly set
13. Edge of weld too sharp
33. Plasticiser exudation
7. Pressure too high
38. Layers of different hardness
32. Delamination of surface coatings
6. Pressure too low
12. Faulty weld design
31. Wear on electrode
5. Cooling time too short
37. Packaged material electrically conductive
30. Excessive stress
4. Welding time too long
36. Film contains impurities (recyclate)
29. Tension due to shrinkage of film
3. Welding time too short
11. Book cover spine weld too narrow
28. Card inserts too tight-fitting
2. HF output too high
10. Electrode too wide
27. Film too brittle
1. HF output insufficient
Weld Fault Finding Chart – Causes Key
APPENDIX A
21
APPENDIX B
INK AND PAINT RECEPTIVITY OF VINYL SURFACES
Scope:
This method is designed to test the suitability of vinyl films, uncoated or coated, unlaminated or laminated to textile
substrates, for decoration with printing inks and/or lettering enamels. The inks may be based on vinyl, acrylic, or
other polymer resins, dissolved or dispersed in organic solvents or water. The paints may be alkyd lettering enamels
or other formulations designed for application to flexible sheet materials. The principal criteria of receptivity are:(1) Adequate drying/curing within a designated time.
(2) Adequate adhesion to the surface when dried/cured.
(3) Resistance to rewetting or loss of adhesion under accelerated aging.
SPECIMENS
These shall be 6” x 11” in size, and shall not be cleaned or prewiped in any manner prior to test. Reasonable care
should be taken that no contamination of the areas to be inked/painted shall occur. Latex gloves shall be worn by
technicians in handling the specimens.
APPARATUS & MATERIALS
Gardner Drawdown Machine (Gardco DP-1230A with #10 Rod); glass surface for application of test materials (if
preferred, a test screen of desired mesh size may be used); fume hood for application; adequate ventilation to
remove solvents from work area during drying cycle; oven for accelerated aging; cotton gauze; Scotch #610 adhesive
tape per ASTM D3359. Standard ink shall be NazDar 9700 Red (with 10% NazDar thinner added) unless otherwise
specified. Standard paint shall be Consumers’ One-Shot Red unless otherwise specified. For pre-production testing
use actual ink or paint to be used in your shop for the specific job.
Application:
PROCEDURE
(To be performed in fume hood). Ink or paint shall be applied to specimen according to instructions for Gardco
machine. Drawdown Rod shall be cleaned with Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) before each application of ink/paint.
Sufficient ink/paint shall be applied to cover an area at least 4” x 6” when drawn down. (Or use test screen in accord
with standard practices).
Drying/Curing:
(To be done in well-ventilated area). Specimens shall be laid out horizontally on benchtops or shelving to dry. Inks
and paints shall be allowed to dry/cure for 24 hours before evaluation.
Evaluation:
(1) Adequacy of drying/curing shall be evaluated by placing a 3” x 3” cotton gauze over the inked or painted area,
placing a 1000-gram (1 kilogram) weight on the gauze, and dragging the weighted gauze over the test area. If no
ink or paint adheres to the gauze, the cure shall be considered adequate.
(2) Adequacy of adhesion shall be evaluated by the procedures of ASTM D3359, except that the crosshatch tool need
not be used. Tape shall be Scotch #610.
(3) Resistance to rewetting or adhesion loss shall be evaluated by stacking the specimens in an oven at 135 degrees
F for 24 hours. Specimens shall be stacked on one another, test sides up, and covered with a sheet of 1/4” plate
glass. If only one specimen is being tested, a blank piece of the test material shall be placed between it and the
glass. After 24 hours the specimen(s) shall be evaluated for blocking (adhesion to each other) and associated
damage to ink or paint. They shall also be retested for cure and adhesion as in (1) and (2).
Alternative rewetting test: Dried specimens shall be folded ink-to-ink, covered with 1/4” plate glass and a 5-pound
top weight applied. After 24 hours at room temperature they shall be unfolded and evaluated for ink damage. (Note:
This is a more severe rewetting test than the above procedure. Its inclusion in this method should not be construed
as a recommendation that printed/painted banners/signs be folded ink-to-ink or paint-to-paint. The latter practice
is not recommended).
REPORT
Shall include identification of the specimens tested and the ink or paint used; results of evaluation by all three
criteria; and any additional observations that may be relevant to the scope of the test.
22
APPENDIX C
Chemical Resistance of Flexible PVC @ 20 º C
S – Satisfactory
L – Limited Application
A
U – Unsatisfactory
Chlorine
B
Acetaldehyde
Acetic acid
40%
100%
10%
10%-60%
80%
100%
S
U
S
S
L
U
U
U
S
S
Acetic ester
Acetone
Acetylene
Adipic acid
Achohols:
butyl – see butanol
ethyl – see ethanol
furfuryl
U
methyl – see methanol
propargyl – see prop-2-yn-1-ol
propyl – see propanol
Aldehydes except
U
acetaldehyde and formaldehyde
Aliphatic esters
U
Aliphatic halogen compounds
U
Alum
S
Aluminium
chloride
S
flouride
S
hydroxide
S
sulphate
S
Amonia
gas
S
liquid
U
solution
S
bicarbonate –
see ammonium hydrogen carbonate
carbonate
S
chloride
S
flouride
20%
S
hydrogen carbonate
S
hydrosulphide diluted
S
hydroxide – see amonia solution
metaphosphate
S
nitrate
S
persulphate
S
sulphate
S
sulphide
SC
thiocyanate
S
Amyl acetate
U
Amyl chloride
U
Aniline
100%
U
hydrochloride
U
sulphate
U
Anthraquinone sulphonic acid
aq. suspension
up to 30ºC
S
Antiformine
2% aq.
S
Antimony chloride
S
Aqua regia
U
Aromatic nitro compounds
U
Aromatic solvents
U
Arsenic acid
80%
S
Barium
carbonate
chloride
hydroxide
sulphate
sulphide
Beer
Benzaldehyde
Benzene
Benzenesulphonic acid
Benzoic acid
Bismuth carbonate
Bisulphite liquor (cont. SO 2)
Bleach lye
12% active chlorine
Borax – see disodium tetraborate
Boric acid
Brass plating solution
Brine
Bromic acid
Bromine
10% aq. solution
gas – moist
liquid
Bromomethane
Butadiene
100%
Butane gas
Butanediol
10%
60%
100%
Butanol
Butyl acetate
Butyl phenol
Butyric acid
20%
100%
S
S
S
S
SC
S
U
U
U
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
L
U
U
U
S
S
S
U
U
S
U
U
S
U
C
Calcium
carbonate
chlorate
chloride
hypochlorite
nitrate
sulphate
Camphor oil
Carbon
disulphide
dioxide, dry
dioxide, moist
monoxide
tetrachloride
Carbonic acid
Castor oil
Chloramin
Chloric acid
C – Colour Change
S
S
S
S
S
S
U
20% solution
U
S
S
S
U
S
S
S
S
100% dry gas
above 5% moist gas
1-5% moist gas
0-5% moist gas
liquid
solution (chlorine water)
treated water
Chloroacetic acid
Chlorobenzene
Chloroethane
Chloroform
Chloromethane
Chlorosulphonic acid
Chrome alum
Chromic acid
50%
Chromium plating solution – hard S
Cider
Citric acid
Coconut fatty acid
Coconut oil alcohols
Copper
cyanide
plating solution, high-speed
sulphate (sat.)
Cotton seed oil
Cresol
90%
Cresylic acid
50%
Crotonaldehyde
Cupric
chloride
flouride
nitrate
sulphate
Cuprous chloride
Cyanide
cadmium plating solution
copper plating solution
Cyclohexane
Cyclohexanol
L
U
L
S
U
L
S
S
U
U
U
U
L
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
U
U
U
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
U
U
D
Densodrin W
Detergents
Developers – photographic
Dextrine
Dextrose
Diazo compounds
Dibutyl phthalate
Dichloroethane
Dichloromethane
1,2-dichloropropane
Diethylene glycol – see digol
Diethyl ether
Diglycolic acid –
see oxydiacetic acid
Digol
Dimethyl sulphoxide
Dioctyl phthalate
Dodecanoic acid
S
S
S
S
S
S
L
U
U
U
U
S
U
U
S
23
APPENDIX C (continued)
S – Satisfactory
E
100%
96%
40%
Ethers
Ethyl
acetate
acrylate
100%
butyrate
chloride – see chloroethane
Ethylene
dichloride – see dichloroethane
glycol – see ethanediol
oxide
S
U
U
S
S
S
S
U
U
U
U
U
F
Fats
Fatty acids
Ferric
chloride
nitrate
sulphate
Ferrous
chloride
sulphate
Fixing Bath - photographic
Fluorine
Fluosilicic acid
Formaldehyde (formalin)
Formic acid
S
S
S
S
S
32%
40%
100%
50%
Fruit pulp
Fruit juice drinks
S
S
S
U
S
S
L
S
S
S
G
Gases
lighting vary with aromatic content
lighting - free from benzole
roasting
Gas liquors
Gelatin
Glucose
Glycerol (glycerine)
Glycine
10%
Glycollic acid
37%
Glycocol – see glycine
Grape sugar
Gold plating solution
L
S
S
L
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
C – Colour Change
Methanol
H
Emulsifiers
Essential oils
Esters
Ethanediol
Ethanol
24
Hexamine
Hydrobromic acid
Hydrochloric acid
50%
concentrated
10%
Hydrocyanic acid
Hydrofluoric acid
Hydrofluosilicic acid
Hydrogen
bromide
chloride dry
peroxide
peroxide
peroxide
phosphide
sulphide
Hydroxylamine sulphate
Hydrosulphite
Hydrochlorous acid
100%
60%
40%
32%
95%
90%
30%
12%
10%
U
S
S
S
S
U
U
S
S
S
S
S
L
L
S
S
S
S
S
S
I
Indium plating solution
Iodine, ethanolic solution (tincture)
Isopropyl nitrate
S
U
U
Methylamine
Methyl
bromide – see bromomethane
chloride – see chloromethane
ethyl ketone
methacrylate monomer
Methylated spirits
Methylene chloride –
see dichloromethane
Methysulphonic acid
100%
Milk
Mineral oil
Molasses
Monochloroacetic acid –
see chloroacetic acid
Mowilith D
Naphtha
Naphthalene
Nekal BX
Nickel salts
Nicotene
Nitric acid
Lactic acid
100%
10%
Lauric acid – see dodecanoic acid
Lead
acetate
tetraethyl – see tetraethyl-lead
Linoleic acid
Linseed oil
Nitrobenzene
Nitrous moist fumes
U
S
S
S
S
M
Magnesium
carbonate
chloride
hydroxide
nitrate
sulphate
Maelic acid
Malic acid
Meat juices
Mecuric
chloride
cyanide
Mercurous nitrate
Mercury
Mersol D
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
U
U
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
U
S
S
S
concentrated 98%
50-65%
50%
30-50%
25%
S
U
L
S
S
L
N
K
Kerosene
Ketones
100%
10%
U
L
S
S
S
U
L
O
Octyl cresol
Oils
AV/CAT
Aviation Rust Ban 621
Castrol GTX
diesel oil
Esso Aviation Turbo oil
Esso Extra 20W/30
furnace oil
Gulf Oil Hydrosil 41
penetrating oil
(99% paraffin, 1% wintergreen)
Shell Tellus 27
sturgeon oil
Oleic acid
Oleum fumes
10%
Orthophosphoric acid
Oxalic acid
Oxydiacetic acid
Oxygen
Ozone
100%
10%
U
S
S
S
S
L
L
S
S
S
S
S
S
L
S
S
S
S
S
S
APPENDIX C (continued)
S – Satisfactory
P
R
Palmitic acid
Paraffin
emulsion
wax
Perchloric acid
Petrol
free from aromatics
Phenol
90%
Phenylhydrazine
Phenylhdrazine hydrochloride
Phosgene
gas
liquid
Phosphoric acid –
see orthophosphoric acid
Phosphorous yellow
Phosphorus
pentoxide
trichloride
Photographic
developers
fixing bath
emulsion
Picric acid solution
Potassium
bicarbonate –
see potassium hydrogen carbonate
bichromate –
see potassium dichromate
borate
1%
bromate
10%
bromide
carbonate
chromate
40%
cyanide
dichromate
ferricyanide
ferri/ferrocyanide
ferrocyanide
flouride
hydrogen carbonate
hydroxide
nitrate
perborate
perchlorate
1%
permanganate
15%
persulphate
sulphate
thiosulphate
Propane
gas and liquid
Propanol
Propylene dichloride –
see 1, 2-dichloropropane
Prop-2-yn-1-ol
70%
Pyridine
Pyrogallic acid
2%
S
S
S
S
S
L
U
L
S
U
S
S
U
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
U
S
Rhodium plating solution
T
S
S
Salicylic acid
Sea water
Silicic acid
Silver
cyanide
nitrate
plating solution
Soap solution
Sodium
acetate
benzoate
bisulphate
borate
bromide
carbonate
chlorate
chloride
chromate
cyanide
ferrocyanide
flouride
hydroxide
up to 60%
hypochlorite
concentrated
lauryl ethyl sulphate
orthophosphate
di-sodium orthophosphate
nitrate
sulphate
sulphide
di-sodium tetraborate
thiosulphate
Spirits
Spinning bath solution
700mg/l
cont. CS 2
cont. CS 2
200mg/l
cont. CS 2
100mg/l
Stannic chloride
Stannous chloride
Starch solution
Stearic acid
Sugar, syrup, jams and preserves
Sulphites
Sulphur
dioxide
dry
dioxide
wet
dioxide
liquid 100%
trioxide
dilute
Sulphuric acid
fuming
98%
96%
up to 75%
Sulphurous acid
C – Colour Change
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
SC
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
L
L
Tallow
Tannic acid
Tartaric acid
Tetraethyl-lead
Tetrahydrofuran
Thionyl chloride
Tin plating solution
Toluene
Transformer oil
Trichloroethylene
Triethanolamine
Trilone
Trimethylpropane –
see sodium orthophosphate
Tritolyl (tricresyl) phosphate
Turpentine
10%
10%
10%
U
S
U
Urea
Urine
up to 30%
S
S
V
Vegetable oils
Vinegars
Vinyl acetate
Viscose (rayon) spinning solution
S
S
U
S
W
Water
distilled
hard
soft
Waste gases
carbon dioxide
carbon monoxide
hydrochloric acid
hydroflouric acid
nitrous oxides
S
S
S
S
traces only
higher concentrations
sulphur dioxide
dry
sulphur trioxide, oleum D
sulphuric acid
traces only
Wax alcohols
Wines
S
U
S
L
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
X
Xylene
U
Y
Yeast
U
U
L
S
S
S
S
S
S
U
U
S
U
S
U
S
S
S
S
Z
Zinc
chloride
plating solution
sulphate
S
S
S
25
APPENDIX D ( Pages 26-35)
AWTA Textile Testing Ltd – Test Reports
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
APPENDIX E
Nolan Warehouses Limited Warranty
Nolan O’Rourke and Company P/L, ABN 80 000 021 492, trading as
Nolan Warehouses, guarantees for a period of two years from
date of original purchase that the reinforced PVC marketed by the
company under the brandnames Herculite and Nylex will not become
unserviceable due to UV degradation, or physical deterioration under
normal operating conditions.
Nolan Warehouses further warrants the material meets all published factory
specifications current at the time of manufacture.
This warranty does not cover abrasion, puncturing or damage due to abuse or improper cleaning
and maintenance. A further condition is that a regular cleaning programme must be followed
complying with the recommendations in our literature.
The above guarantee is applicable to the original purchaser only. When a complaint is received, the
determination of the manufacturer or recognised industry association is the sole basis on which
replacement or refund is made. The liability of Nolan
Warehouses is limited under this warranty to replacement
or refund of the original purchase price of material only
on a prorated basis of the time in use. i.e. 1st year 100%,
2nd year 50%.
Liability for negligence, or any consequential loss is excluded.
Disclaimer
Nolan Warehouses is a National Australian distributor of Industrial Fabrics, and was established in 1920.
This Guide is one of a series prepared for all products
sold by the company, and is designed to provide
appropriate technical information and advice to
specifiers, fabricators and end-users. The information
is based on that provided by the manufacturers, or our
general experience, and is given in good faith, but
because of the many particular factors which are
outside our knowledge and control and affect the use of
products, no warranty is given, or is to be implied on its
accuracy.
NOTES:
Acknowledgements
The following individuals and companies gave
considerable assistance and support in the preparation
of this Guide, which is acknowledged gratefully.
Peter McKernan, President; and Staff,
Herculite Products Inc.
Mr. Larry Rinehart, Manager, Research and
Development, Herculite Products Inc.
Mr. Tim Pizer, National Sales Manager, Industrial,
Nylex Corporation.
Mr. Bob Doyle
AWTA Testing Limited
Mr. Roger Cole
CPA Advertising Pty Ltd, (Design and Artwork).
36
Herculite Products Inc. – Company Profile
Herculite Products Inc. is an established manufacturer of laminates for industrial
applications, including for the defence, agriculture, automotive, marine and printing sectors,
and of healthcare fabrics, the latter currently marketed under the brand name "Sure.Chek".
The company is located at York, Pennsylvania in the US. The 300,000 square foot
manufacturing facility houses a state-of-the-art laminating and coating plant, capable of
producing fabrics up to 2.5 metres in width. It has stringent quality control procedures in
place, documented and maintained to ISO standards and supported by a fully equipped
laboratory, staffed by highly qualified professionals.
Herculite's mission statement summarises the company's commitment to innovation
and quality:- "The sustaining philosophy of our company is to continuously strive for higher
levels of excellence in every aspect of individual and corporate performance; to be the best
manufacturer and marketer of laminated and coated fabrics in the market, meeting or
exceeding the requirements and expectations of our customers; and to deliver products of
exceptional value."
Nolan Warehouses has proudly represented Herculite for over forty years in Australia,
where over two million metres of their fabrics have been sold.
Nylex Corporation Pty. Ltd. – Company Profile
Nylex Corporation Pty. Ltd., Australia’s largest producer of polymer products, is an
innovative manufacturer of polymer films, coated fabrics and industrial hose. Nylex utilises
world’s best practise techniques of manufacturing systems, design leadership and technical
expertise.
With two major manufacturing plants, a strong R & D team, a creative Design Centre
and extensive distribution network, Nylex products are found in almost every area of daily
life including home and leisure, healthcare, automotive, commercial interior decor, mining,
agriculture, drainage and engineering. Nylex has also built a reputation as specialists in the
manufacture of membrane pressing foils, industrial hose and decorative products.
Nylex is quality systems accredited to QS9000 and ISO9001 and has a pioneering
background in the field of polymers, particularly PVC and Polypropylene. This store of
technology and skill in manufacturing purpose-designed products for a multitude of end use
requirements, creates sales opportunities for customers within Australia, and World Export
markets overseas. Sales Turnover in 1998/1999 was more than AUD$150 million.
Nylex Corporation Pty. Ltd. is 100% Australian owned. Nolan Warehouses is one of
Nylex’s largest distributors of expanded and laminated PVC fabrics, having represented the
company since its earliest days.
SYDNEY
3 Bradford Street, Alexandria
P.O. Box 246, Rosebery, NSW 1445, Australia
Telephone: (02) 9669 3333
Fax: (02) 9669 3266
NEWCASTLE
66 Orlando Road, Lambton
Telephone: (02) 4957 7766
Fax: (02) 4952 6737
BRISBANE
11 Barrinia Street, Springwood
Telephone: (07) 3808 1888
Fax: (07) 3208 0868
MELBOURNE
55 Cleeland Road, Oakleigh South
Telephone: (03) 9545 5588
Fax: (03) 9545 5582
ADELAIDE
4 Paget Street, Ridleyton
Telephone: (08) 8340 7979
Fax: (08) 8340 7877
PERTH
168 Edward Street, Perth
Telephone: (08) 9328 4777
Fax: (08) 9328 4719
[email protected]
www.nolans.com.au
Nolan Warehouses
ESTABLISHED 1920

Technical guide5 text pages

Transcription

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