The difficult conditions of industrial environments are not ones to be taken lightly. Chemical exposure, mechanical stress, increased temperatures, pressure, and abrasive forces are all examples of the conditions that the materials placed within these locations must be able to endure. They need to possess the right attributes to deliver a reliable performance. Polyurethane (PU) coated glass fibre fabrics can do just that. Utilized in a variety of industrial applications, including in insulation covers, heat shields, conveyor belts, pipe and duct wraps, and protective barriers, PU coated glass fibre fabrics offer properties that support their placement in difficult conditions and ensure they can be depended upon. Below, we’re going to consider two of these properties, strength and durability, and how they add to the utility of PU coated glass fibre fabrics.
What are PU Coated Glass Fibre Fabrics?
PU coated glass fibre fabrics are produced through integrating woven glass fabric (the base material) with a PU coating (the coating material). By combining these materials into a coated fabric, their properties are merged. The glass fibre base offers thermal insulation, extensive tensile strength, non-combustibility, and the ability to withstand corrosion and chemicals, while the PU coating improves the base materials’ performance and delivers waterproofing, abrasion resistance, and even UV protection. When amalgamated, they become a composite fabric offering the glass fibre’s heat resistance and strength and the polyurethane’s versatility and durability.
PU Coated Glass Fibre Fabrics And Their Strength
Although PU coated glass fibre fabrics are lightweight, they’re able to deliver a robust level of strength. This ensures they can be easily installed and managed, while avoiding impacting on performance. The strength of the merged PU coating and the glass fibre base is excellent. Therefore, PU coated glass fibre fabrics can be utilized in heavy-duty industrial applications and items like insulation covers and heat shields.
The glass fibres within the base material are extremely strong and can deliver a tensile strength between 300 – 700 MPa. However, this tensile strength can become even higher should the fabric contain a specific thickness or weave. With this high tensile strength, PU coated glass fibre fabrics remain strong against pulling forces and will not succumb to stretching or tearing. Thus, PU coated glass fibre fabrics can be applied to applications that may involve load-bearing.
PU coatings also play a large role in establishing the strength of PU coated glass fibre fabrics. Let’s begin with their contribution to the fabric’s abrasion resistance. By keeping the fabric shielded against wear that may appear due to friction, the coating can help to improve the life of the material. Additionally, as the PU coating offers both strength and flexibility, it can enhance the fabric’s impact resistance. Think of the PU coating as the layer that defends the fabric, helping it make sure that impact forces are absorbed and distributed. Ergo, it’s less likely that localized damage could occur as the concentration of stress will not be in one location. This helpful attribute means it can be utilized within protective barriers.
PU Coated Glass Fibre Fabrics And Their Durability
Another attribute that PU coated glass fibre fabrics are known for is their durability. Their durability stems from the glass fibre base’s strength and the PU coating’s resilience. This attribute ensures the materials retain their performance over time, sometimes even years, when applied to difficult conditions. Furthermore, PU coated glass fibre fabrics only need minimal upkeep. Thus, expenses can be avoided that come along with replacements or maintenance.
The durability of PU coated glass fibre fabrics also stems from their ability to resist a variety of conditions. Not only does the PU coating stop environmental contaminants and liquid from contacting the glass fibres, meaning that the fabric will avoid being weakened or affected by corrosion, but it can do the same with chemicals, like solvents and oils, ensuring that the fabric can stay durable in the event of a chemical spill if utilized in a harsh industrial environment.
Glass fibres also offer a good level of resistance against fire as they’re non-combustible. If they’re merged with a PU coating which has been treated with additives that’re fire retardant, this can ensure the PU coated glass fibre fabric will remain durable within a location that may be more prone to fires.
Trust The Strength And Durability Of PU Coated Glass Fibre Fabrics
PU coated glass fibre fabrics contain useful attributes that help them to succeed when placed within tough industrial applications. Their strength and durability help to establish safety while delivering a consistent performance and lowering the need for replacements.
Mid-Mountain Materials, Inc. manufactures PU coated glass fibre fabrics. Our ARMATEX® Polyurethane Coated Fabrics contain excellent attributes that are highly successful in industrial applications. Their machinability, weather resistance, and excellent cold aging make them perfect for jacketing systems and insulation blankets. Explore our website now or speak with our team to discover more about ARMATEX® Polyurethane Coated Fabrics.
