Industrial fabrics are designed to offer strength and durability. High-wear situations, exposure to the elements and military applications require reinforced fabrics. Often, these fabrics may be laminated or coated in vinyl to be more resistant to punctures or tears. Polyethylene and polypropylene are two other common polymers used in the manufacturing of industrial fabrics. What do these three types of reinforced fabrics have in common, and what situations call for the use of which one?
Vinyl
Vinyl fabrics can be created in a variety of types, textures and colors, making them very versatile. We offer a wide range of vinyl products, including our transparent vinyl welding curtains and vinyl coated polyester sports tarps, among many others. Industrial tarps, awnings and other window-coverings are typically manufactured using vinyl or vinyl coatings, offering protection and versatility for outdoor consumer products.
Look under your kitchen sink or in your bathroom and you’ll likely find products made with polyethylene–it’s the world’s most common plastic. Polyethylene is used to make a wide variety of products including grocery bags, shampoo bottles and many children’s toys. Clearly versatile, polyethylene has a very simple structure and is fairly inexpensive to make. Luckily, it is also one of the easiest types of plastic to recycle in the United States (at least the high-density form). Surprising uses include in bullet proof vests — ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, or UHMWPE, is such a strong fiber it can replace Kevlar — or in large sheets to replace ice in ice rinks. Design-wise, polyethylene can also be desirable in situations that require clear fabrication; the polymer can be produced optically clear, or “see-through.”
We offer a range of polyethylene products, including flame retardant options for warehouses or other high-heat industries.
Another vinyl polymer, polypropylene can be used as both a plastic and a fiber, making it very versatile. As a plastic, polypropylene is used to make things like dishwasher-safe containers. As a fiber, polypropylene can be used for indoor-outdoor carpeting, like what you’d find at miniature golf courses or around swimming pools. It works well in these outdoor situations because the fibers can be colored easily, and polypropylene does not absorb water. More fiber polypropylene uses include upholstery, like on boats or deck furniture. Unlike polyethylene, polypropylene cannot be produced clear, but can be made translucent like milk jugs.
Which type do I need?
Vinyl, polyethylene and polypropylene are versatile industrial fabric options. So how do you know when to use which one? First, consider the application. Do you need increased durability, a specific color or water protection? What about cost requirements? The experts at Mauritzon are here to answer any questions and help you select the best product for your situation.
Between polypropylene and polyethylene, polypropylene is considered to be more resistant to chemicals and organic solvents than polyethylene, so it might be a better bet for manufacturing facilities. Polypropylene is also less flexible, so consider your need for a stretchable fabric before deciding between the two.
This is only a general overview of the different kinds of industrial textile materials; contact us with any questions at info@mauritzon.net or toll free at 800-621-4352. We would love to help you find the perfect industrial textile products you need!
Polypropylene finds its way into packaging, carpets, ropes, and plastic parts. Polyethylene is widely used in packaging as well since it is very strong and durable. This includes food packaging. Other common places to find polyethylene are cable and wire insulation, toys, buckets, and grocery bags.
At their core, both vinyl and polymer are both plastics. However, the main difference lies in what type of plastic they are. Vinyl siding is made of polyvinyl chloride, aka PVC.Meanwhile, polymer siding is made from polypropylene resin.
Polyethylene is a popular choice for outdoor furniture fabric and geotextiles. It's a manufactured fiber made of polymerized polyethylene units. It is often a monofilament, but is also available as continuous filament yarns and as staple fiber.
Polypropylene vs polyethylene UV resistance: PP has little UV resistance compared to PE. PE has a lower melting point than PP. PE can take a transparent form while PP can only be made translucent. High chemical resistance: PP is slightly more rigid and chemically resistant than PE.
What are the uses of polyethylene? The primary uses of polyethylene are in packaging film, garbage bags, grocery bags, insulation for wires and cables, agricultural mulch, bottles, toys, and houseware. Polythene is also used in trays, fruit juice containers, milk containers, crates, and food packaging products.
Pallets, bottles, jars, yogurt containers, hot beverage cups, and food packaging are some of the products made with this material. Polypropylene is also frequently used in the automotive industry to produce batteries, bumpers, instrument panels, interior elements, and door trims.
Generally speaking, vinyl tarps are heavier and somewhat more heavy-duty than poly tarps. Vinyl is a denser material, giving vinyl tarps more weight than their poly counterparts. Vinyl is also remarkably strong, making vinyl tarps extremely resistant to abrasion, tearing, and wind whip.
Vinyl is commonly used as a shorthand name for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic as used in a range of products from flooring to siding to wall covering. Most commonly, when a product is referred to as “vinyl,” it is comprised primarily of PVC.
Certain plastics, including polypropylene and polyethylene have low surface energy. This property inhibits an adhesive's ability to 'wet out' or bond to the surface. This of course causes problems with adhesive backed vinyls leading to weak bonds or failure of the applied graphic.
What Kind of Fabric is Polypropylene? Polypropylene is a thermoplastic synthetic resin used for packaging, transportation, chemical fibers, and non-woven fabrics. The most widely-used fabric type is polypropylene non-woven fabrics, used in industrial and civil products.
They are used to produce bottles for non-food items, plastics for outdoor applications, compost bins, etc. PE (HDPE and XLPE) is widely used for water-related applications. HDPE pipes are used for non-potable water applications. For potable water, HDPE can be used for both hot water and cold-water service applications.
Polyethylene (PE) is used in many industries, including food and beverage, personal wellness, packaged goods, health care, and beyond. Product developers choose PE because it is versatile and durable, resistant to impact and chemicals, features low moisture absorption, and doesn't retain bacteria.
The main differences with polyethylene are that polypropylene is lighter and more resistant to high temperatures, abrasive agents and chemical solvents. It is also more resistant to breakage, however, it is less flexible than polyethylene. Another major advantage is that it is easy to colour and mould.
Polycarbonate (PC): Polycarbonate is a transparent thermoplastic that offers some of the strongest, most shatter-resistant construction available for plastic injection molded products.
Polyethylene is typically used for plastic bags, food/drink containers, and medical applications like knee joints. Polyethylene's chemical structure consists of repeated monomers made from carbon and hydrogen atoms.
Flexi Says: Polyethylene and polypropylene are two types of plastic that can be distinguished by their physical properties. Polyethylene is more flexible and softer to the touch, while polypropylene is more rigid and harder. Polypropylene also has a higher melting point than polyethylene.
Due to its low cost and flexibility, PP is used in various packaging forms and has replaced traditional materials such as paper, cellophane, and paper. It is widely used to make pallets, bottles, jars, yogurt containers, hot beverage cups, food packing, etc.
In fact, polypropylene is only one of three types of plastics that are widely recyclable in the United States. The other two are polyethylene terephthalate (PET, popularly used for beverage bottles) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE, opaque plastic commonly used for milk jugs).
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