Coated and uncoated outdoor fabrics
Fabrics at extremtextil are available with or without coating. Which variant is the right one for which application?
A PU coating (or other, such as acrylic or silicone) is applied to coated fabrics to make them waterproof or highly water-repellent. This also makes it windproof and water-vapor-proof, meaning that it is no longer breathable (except in the case of breathable coatings, of course). Some uncoated fabrics are water-repellent thanks to an impregnation treatment, but this only ensures that moisture beads off for a short time; rain penetrates the fabric quite quickly. On the other hand, it is very breathable, which means that moisture or water vapor can escape easily, making it highly breathable. Strong, uncoated fabric (e.g., Cordura) is very well suited for reinforcement, whether of waterproof or water-permeable fabrics. Otherwise, it can be used anywhere where waterproofing is not required.
Coated fabric is suitable for applications where the end product needs to be waterproof or highly water-repellent, e.g. backpacks or bags that need to withstand a downpour (although it is difficult to make a backpack or similar item completely waterproof due to the many seams). It is also suitable for clothing (preferably breathable/water vapor permeable), tents, tarps, etc.
And a few more aspects regarding use and processing:
- Uncoated fabric is easier to process. It is significantly more flexible and the sewing needle does not have to penetrate the coating.
- The tear resistance of uncoated fabric is slightly higher than that of coated fabric (this does not apply to silicone—a silicone coating increases tear resistance).
- Coated fabric is naturally somewhat heavier than uncoated fabric.
- Coated fabrics are significantly stiffer, which can be desirable for bags or backpacks. More information on processing can be found in the processing tips for uncoated or coated fabrics.
