Specialty Fabrics Showcase Part 2

Fire resistance, printability, sustainability, water resistance and versatility.

As indicated in the State of the Industry report provided in the February and March issues of the Review, the global specialty fabrics market is growing, encouraging fabric manufacturers to continue their development of problem-solving products that perform.

With the increasing overlap of textile usage in diverse markets, we asked manufacturers to give us the details on their latest fabrics, from in-demand performance qualities to recommended applications. This issue includes fabrics that emphasize fire resistance; printability; sustainability; versatility; and water resistance.

Part I of the Specialty Fabrics Showcase was featured in the April issue.

Fire resistance

Shaded safety
Made from UV-stabilized HDPE monofilament and tape yarns, SaFRershade™ meets the California State Fire Marshal standard. The specialized lock stitch knit yields maximum strength, facilitating air movement and channeling cool breezes, which reduces air temperature underneath the shade cloth. It is backed by a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty against UV degradation and will not tear, crack, rot or fray.

Gale Pacific Inc.
+1 407 772 7979

Slings and screens
Providing cushioning and support, Style 409 is a 60-inch-wide, 100 percent polyester spacing fabric for medical applications such as slings. Meets CAL 117 fire retardant standard, withstands excessive force and is washable with low shrinkage.

Style 501 is designed for simulator screens for golf, soccer, football or entertainment systems. It offers low noise, minimal bounce back, HD resolution and resistance to impact and fire. Stocked in white, its 120-inch width creates a seamless screen.

Jason Mills LLC
+1 732 651 7200

Nonconductive comfort
Lorica’s IK9 100 percent oxidized polyacrylonitrile fiber (OPF) fabric meets all applicable requirements for NFPA 2112, NFPA 1971 and ASTM F1506. Nonconductive with heat insulation properties, it is strong, flexible and breathable with chemical and electrical resistance. Applications include protective apparel in oil and gas, first responder and military markets as well as industrial applications in aerospace, automotive and electronics.

Lorica International Inc.
+1 858 866 9966

Enhanced protection
The Komanda range of performance engineered nonwoven materials offers enhanced protection as a stand-alone material, or in layered or laminated constructions, against electric arcing and flash fires. Breathable, durable, flexible and re-usable with a strong wash durability, it offers the same level of arc thermal protective performance (ATPV) at up to 45 percent lower weights than similar materials.

Norafin (Americas) Inc.
+1 828 654 7455

Certified sun control
SheerWeave® Performance+ metallized sun control fabrics are now certified to the M1 European fire classification standard and B2 German fire standard. The fabric reflects solar heat from the building, reducing the glare at the window and increasing the outward view through the shade while providing daytime privacy. Available in 5, 3 and 1 percent open basketweaves, 63- and 96-inch widths,
10 neutral colors.

PHIFER Inc.
+1 205 345 2120

Increased durability
The new range of fireproof VFL Technology™ fabrics is designed for protective apparel including firefighter turnout gear, cleanroom coveralls and bulletproof jackets. The boosted meta-aramid cloth is 30 percent stronger than similar fabrics and offers high abrasion resistance, durability and comfort.

SOFILETA Advanced Textiles
+33 474 435 454

Expanded applications
DIOLEN® SAFE flame-retardant yarns are produced in line with Cradle-to-Cradle® guidelines and free of heavy metals and halogens. Now available for applications including fine furniture fabrics in contract and residential settings, knitted structures and seating solutions for home and commercial use, highly reflective, metallic fabrics for sun screens, canvas backings, tents and textile ducts and diffusers for ventilation systems used
for heating and cooling.

TWD Fibres GmbH
+49 9901 79 0

Strength for structures
Designed for frame, tension and air-supported fabric structures, duraskin® B4915 offers tensile strength, tear resistance, flame retardancy and translucency. PVC and polyester materials are available in various weights and colors with either a weldable PVDF or acrylic topcoat and, along with PTFE/fiberglass materials, are also available in mesh.

Verseidag seemee US Inc.
+1 864 706 1625

Printability

Backlit brilliance
Woven polyester TexStyles® Brilliance Graphic Fabrics are designed for backlit and specialty print applications. Wrinkle-resistant and available in direct-to-fabric finish, they meet NFPA 701 flame resistance standards and offer exceptional whiteness, vivid color reproductions and minimal shrinkage. Recommended processes are dye sublimation, DTF, UV and latex inks.

Beaver Paper & Graphic Media Inc.
+1 770 935 5080

Trade show solution
Designed for high-impact backlit graphics and trade show booths, Decoprint® Pearl is a 100 percent polyester fabric with a non-PVC coating. Compliant to M1 and B1 fire-retardant standards, REACH regulations and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, it provides highly accurate print detail and vibrant color density, giving the fabric a light transmission with a smooth surface for a range of visual effects.

DHJ Intl.
+33 388 85 0777

Bright whites
DD 3800 Luxury Lite (FR) is specially coated for direct dye sublimation printing. It is a bright white, satin, warp-knit fabric with a medium level sheen that presents a polished, wrinkle-free look while maintaining a soft hand. Meets NFPA 701 flame requirements and is recommended for soft signage, exhibit graphics, high-end displays, retail advertising, table covers and silicone edge graphics applications.

GF 8880 Opaque White (FR) is a three-layered woven material consisting of a white face and back with a black layer sandwiched in between. It allows printing on one side without the use of a blockout liner on the inside, and with its extreme white point and wide width is recommended for double-sided banners, exhibit graphics and silicone edge graphics displays.

Fisher Textiles
+1 704 821 8870

Vibrant Displays
Six-ounce, air-textured Polyester Heavy Scuba fabric for high impact activewear and uniforms is specifically constructed to offer pill resistance and strength with a wicking finish that keeps the wearer cool and dry for a more comfortable fit. Dye sublimation printing is recommended.

Tri Poly is a bright white, uncoated, flame-resistant woven fabric specifically engineered for printers who require vibrant results using dye sublimation transfer technology. Can be printed for both frontlit and backlit advertising and displays.

With three layers, Triple White is engineered to block images from the print surface and prevent image washout due to lighting behind the sign. It is bright white, uncoated and flame resistant. Dye sublimation transfer technology is recommended, and applications include retail POP displays, banners, retractable banner stands, backlit display frames, theatrical displays and tradeshow graphics.

Ultra White Blockout is a double-sided, bright white blockout fabric for dye sublimation printing. Its deep, black blockout layer in the center provides high quality imagery. Applications include retail displays, advertising banners and tradeshow graphics.

Top Value Fabrics
855 618 4500

Resilient hues
Sioen B6000 Printable PVC Vinyl is designed for truck side curtains where extreme durability is required. Available in a variety of new colors, it is built with a “Panama” construction for high strength and resistance to punctures. An acrylic lacquer is applied to both sides, increasing its abrasion resistance while also making the material digital or screen printable and easy to clean.

Value Vinyls Inc.
800 406 8845

Sustainability

Biobased Interiors
Six patterns of Carnegie’s high-performance interior textile Xorel have earned the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label. The biobased versions of Dash, Nexus, Strie, Abacus Embroider, Topiary Embroider and Veneer Embroider offer the same levels of durability, cleanability and longevity, and position architects, designers and building owners to earn points toward LEED certification for projects in which a textile is specified.

Carnegie Fabrics Inc.
800 727 6770

Moisture management
ET 2600 Jersey Spandex Knit is designed for athletic apparel and comprised of 92 percent REPREVE® recycled yarns produced from recycled plastic bottles and 8 percent spandex. It is dye-sublimation printable and treated with Sorbtek®, Unifi’s moisture management system, which controls odor and promotes comfort by allowing perspiration to move away from the body, so it dries quickly.

ET 3000 Yoga, designed for athletic apparel, is dye-sublimation printable and made from 86 percent REPREVE® polyester and 14 percent spandex. In addition, it is treated with with Sorbtek, Unifi’s moisture management system.

Fisher Textiles
+1 704 821 8870

Interior solar shade
GreenScreen® Evolve™ is made of 100 percent PVC-free polyester and contains up to 78 percent Repreve® recycled fibers. The shading fabric offers solar control capabilities and easy installation, and meets NFPA 701 and CSFM Title 19 fire-retardant standards. Available in nine colors and four openness factors for both manual and automated window shading systems.

Mermet Corp.
866 902 9647

Lightweight sun control
SheerWeave® Styles 4901 and 4903 fabrics feature a thin, lightweight polyester twill weave with a coordinating reversible face, offering flexibility and style. Available in 13 neutral tones with openness factors of 1 percent (Style 4901) and 3 percent (Style 4903), they are GREENGUARD® Gold Certified and include Microban® antimicrobial protection.

PHIFER Inc.
+1 205 345 2120

Optimal performance
Sympatex® has added two new product lines for its high-tech, high-performance membranes: Allround and Performance Plus. They are PTFE- and PFC-free, breathable, comfortable, 100 percent windproof and waterproof, 100 percent recyclable, bluesign® certified and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified. Applications include extreme weather apparel and activewear. Photo by Klaus Fengler | samayaproject.com

Sympatex Technologies GmbH
+49 0 89 9400 58 0

Recyclable membranes
Precontraint® TX30 is a durable composite material for major construction projects such as tensile roofs and structures, providing optimized balance between natural light and solar protection. Engineered to resist erosion for more than 30 years, it has a cross-link molecular coating, offers strong resistance to photo oxidization and microcracks, has a smooth, easy-to-clean surface, and is 100 percent recyclable.

Stamoid Pure is a new membrane engineered for marine applications including bimini tops, cockpit enclosures, sprayhoods and full boat covers. It features a special anti-pollution coating on the top and is flexible, easy to clean and resistant to mold and UV light. Comes with a five-year guarantee of performance and is 100 percent recyclable at the end of its life cycle.

Serge Ferrari
+1 954 942 3600

Water Resistance

Soft but sturdy
Atlantis™ DuraTop is a 13-ounce, vinyl laminated, kid-embossed marine fabric designed for commercial boat tops. Its durability and softer hand make it suitable for cover reinforcement when slit to 2 and 3 inches—or a different width of the user’s choice. It is waterproof, heat sealable, flame retardant and resistant to mildew and UV light.

Bruin Plastics Co. Inc.
800 556 7764

Tried and true
Tent and awning fabric GF 5355 Cascade (FR) has a waterproof treatment and is flame retardant, passing the NFPA 701 standard. Tested under AATCC 42-2013, it had 0.13 grams of weight gain, and for water repellency, tested under AATCC 22-2010 (Spray), it received a grade of 80. Also recommended for outdoor banners and indoor roll-up banner stands, it is 118 inches wide and 6.9 ounces per square yard.

Fisher Textiles
+1 704 821 8870

Impermeable polyester
Designed for tents and other outdoor applications, Style 410 is a 100 percent polyester fabric that also functions as a screen, diffusing light and allowing airflow to pass through it. It is 60 inches wide, fire retardant, UV resistant, water repellent and impermeable to no-see-ums.

Jason Mills LLC
+1 732 651 7200

New width
Herculite Riviera Marine Fabric® is now available in a 2-meter width, featuring a soft, supple hand for easy fabrication. Its inner, reinforcing core fabric is woven from high-tenacity polyester yarn, and it features an exclusive, easy-to-clean topcoat. Colorfast, waterproof and resistant to cold cracking, tears, weather, rotting, mildew, UV light and seagull droppings, it is recommended for dodgers, bimini tops, enclosure curtains and boat covers.

Herculite Products Inc.
+1 717 764 1192

See-through flexibility
Flexlight FX 701 is a glass fiber textile featuring a PTFE non-combustible base cloth enclosed on the top and bottom with fluorinated films to provide a waterproof membrane offering 62 percent light transmission. Flexible but strong enough to cover large free spans, it provides a UV transmission of 57 percent and is recommended for roofs, atriums and skylights.

Serge Ferrari
+1 954 942 3600

Versatility

High-traffic patterns
High-performance upholstery fabrics Big Dot and Little Dot are made of 100 percent polyurethane and feature proven performance finishes such as Cleangene+Silicone™, an advanced polymer system that offers a high level of resistance to most commercial cleaners and disinfectants, as well as abrasion and stain resistance. Free of lead, heavy metals, phthalates, formaldehyde and BPA, and recommended for high-traffic commercial settings.

Designtex
800 221 1540

Custom designs
Digitally printed fabric is available on substrates including nylon, polyesters, and synthetic blends, both knits and woven fabrics, enabling the printing of custom designs with fast lead times and minimums as low as 10–20 yards. Additional capabilities to meet IR specifications and be printed back-to-back.

MMI Textiles Inc.
+1 440 899 8050

Reflective webbing
E-Z Lace with Retroglo® is a woven webbing structure with customized integrated openings suitable for tie-down interfaces. It offers high visibility, reflective properties, improved production installation time and a secure fit, and is available in black/yellow and black/orange. Applications include pool covers, canopies, awnings, sport equipment covers, bimini tops, boat covers, load management systems, tents, structures, berms and water tank covers.

Offray Specialty Narrow Fabrics Inc.
+1 908 879 3636

Long-lasting vinyl
Regalite® Fenestra 20- and 30-gauge press-polished, clear vinyl sheeting is recommended for applications that require durability, visual appeal and protection from the elements, such as awnings, signage, greenhouses and restaurant enclosures. Optically clear, UV-resistant and RF weldable, it meets CAL 117E and FMVSS 302 specifications, and is available in clear, smoke and green tints.

Firma is the new O’Sea® and Regalite® product line specifically engineered for fabricators and engineers who prefer a stiffer hand to their press polished window vinyl for greater rigidity. Optically clear, highly durable, UV-resistant, RF weldable and flame-retardant; O’Sea sheets are also sunscreen, bug spray and jet fuel-resistant with a scratch-resistant coating. Applications include marine windows, awnings, tents, auto convertible tops and restaurant enclosures.

O’Sullivan Films Inc.
+1 540 667 6666

Innovative interlayer
The 260/50 series is a new addition to the Vision metal-coated fabric glass interlayer collection. It features a new combination of 260 microns of material thickness with 50 percent mesh aperture, offering a wider range of options for design in both interior and exterior architectural glass applications, while reducing solar heat gain and glare.

SEFAR® Architecture
+1 727 388 4919

Biodegradable fibers
ELUTE® drug-loaded fibers use patented, bioabsorable polymer technology to deliver mechanical support and advanced drug delivery capabilities directly to patients’ surgical sites. By adding therapeutic agents directly at the site of the implant, the fibers provide the implanted device with the ability to alter the body’s response. Though they stay in place once implanted, they may
be removed in the event of an adverse reaction.

TissueGen Inc.
+1 214 351 1922

Lettering only
SGS Thermal Lettering Film is intended for lettering and is not printable. The film’s adhesive layer is on the face side (top) of the film, meaning that it has to be “reverse-plotted,” weeded and then applied to the fabric without the need of transfer tape—like standard SGS film. Available in black for use with Sunbrella® fabrics, it is 30 inches wide and sold in full rolls only.

Trivantage LLC
800 438 1061

Marine grade flexibility
Crystal Clear double-roller polished, marine grade, clear vinyl window sheeting has an additive UV protectant and is available in 12, 16, 20, 30 and 40 gauges. Higher gauges are recommended for outdoor applications, including curtains, bimini tops, golf enclosures and tent windows, and lower gauges are recommended for upholstery. A smoke tint is available in
20 and 30 gauges.

Vicar Intl.
800 526 6997