PVC vs. PE Fabrics: Make the Right Choice for Your Operations

Polyethylene (PE) vs. polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fabric is a common debate across industries, as these versatile materials provide many of the same benefits. While they offer similar properties, such as advanced ultraviolet (UV) protection, durability, and endless customization options, a few key differences set them apart.

If your business deals primarily with architectural structures, polyethylene-coated fabric is a better option due to its cost-effectiveness, long life span, and other favorable properties. Here are some fundamental reasons to help you make the right choice for your industry.

What Is PVC-Coated Fabric?
PVC-coated fabric is a durable material made from polyester and polyvinyl chloride. Making PVC-coated fabric involves covering one or both sides of the scrim with liquid PVC using a knife-coating method. During this operation, a blade spreads a thin layer across the fabric surface, ensuring an equal lamination. A finishing topcoat is frequently applied to seal in the plasticizers, offering higher resistance to dirt and superior UV protection for greater longevity.

Numerous industries use PVC-coated fabric in their operations, specifically the construction, automotive, and aerospace sectors, as it is long-lasting, airtight, and fire-retardant. One common use for PVC-coated fabrics is in architectural projects, as its properties make it suitable for awnings. PVC is also ideal for military structures. Some other uses of PVC-coated fabric include:

• Sports clothing and equipment: PVC-coated fabric offers superior tear resistance for gym mats, sports equipment protective covers, and long waders for fishing.
• Firefighting bunker equipment: The fire-retardant properties in PVC-coated fabric make it suitable for turnout coats and boots.
• Automotive components: PVC-coated fabric offers optimal durability for truck tarps, sun visors, and seat coverings.
• Spacecraft operations: This fire-retardant fabric is used for interior coverings in space vehicles to prevent potential fires from spreading.
• Luggage and travel accessories: PVC-coated fabric bags are airtight, ensuring a person's belongings stay dry and safe.

What Is Polyethylene Fabric?
Polyethylene fabric is made of woven scrim placed between two layers of plasticized coating. There are several types of PE fabric, each resulting from a polymerization process involving the chemical combination of small molecules or monomers to produce large chainlike molecules called polymers. The amount of monomers determines the PE fabric strength, giving rise to these common variants:

• Very low-density polyethylene provides the material for stretch wraps and plastic film packaging.
• Low-density polyethylene produces plastic bags and upright containers.
• Linear low-density polyethylene is the material for plastic bags, films, and sheets.
• Medium-density polyethylene plays a role in the creation of plastic films and pipes.
• Cross-linked polyethylene creates plastics resistant to high temperatures.
• High-density polyethylene helps construct stronger packaging options like bottles, tubes, and containers.
• Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene provides an alternative material for bulletproof vests and machine parts.

PE is a favorable choice for businesses operating in humid or rainy environments due to its superior mold resistance. Ultraviolet stabilizers render this fabric even more valuable, preventing degradation under the sun's harsh rays. Combining these properties makes PE fabric a durable solution in all climates.

PVC vs. Polyethylene: Considerations
Before deciding which fabric is optimal for your operations, consider the advantages and possible downsides. Here are some important aspects to consider:

• Durability
  PVC and PE fabrics offer high UV protection and are resistant to tears and punctures. In addition, they are airtight, which makes them dependable in harsh weather conditions.

While PE fabric is considered lightweight, its high strength-to-ratio density helps it withstand wind, snow, and seismic activity.

Cost
PVC-coated fabric is generally more expensive than PE fabric, making this a vital consideration when choosing material for your operations. As PVC-coated fabric offers a longer life span, its higher initial cost will offer a better return on investment over time. PE fabric provides a highly effective yet more affordable solution; perfect for small businesses and those looking for cost-efficiency.

Repairability
As PVC and PE fabrics are used in structural projects, they're exposed to sun, rain, and wind daily. This increases the likelihood of tears and holes, which impact the overall protection of the outdoor structure.

Plastic adhesive and PVC patches repair small tears in PVC-coated fabric structures, yet larger rips require a hot air welder. By comparison, PE structure repairs are easy and cost-effective, starting from as little as $2 per square foot.

Light Transmittance
Polyvinyl chloride coating renders the fabric an opaque white, meaning there is minimal light transmittance in PVC-coated fabric structures. PE fabric's lightweight composition allows natural light to filter through the structure. This offers greater energy-saving properties because less artificial light is required to illuminate the interior.

Natural light offers a multitude of benefits across applications. For example, increased illumination in structures housing milk-producing cattle prompts higher yields. Illuminated work environments also have many advantages for staff, such as increased mental focus, productivity, and reduced stress.

Flame-Retardant Properties
PVC-coated fabric offers a built-in flame-retardant quality, allowing industries to use it as is. Flame-retardant coatings are also available for PE fabrics and come with a 15-year or 25-year warranty. When using fabric structures for event purposes, stakeholders must ensure optimal flame resistance to comply with health and safety regulations.

Ventilation
As polyester is the main component of PVC-coated fabric, it is inherently well-ventilated. PE fabric structures are customizable, allowing you to choose between passive and active ventilation for optimal airflow. In addition, the fabric is thermally non-conductive for more consistent indoor temperatures in all weather conditions.

Maintenance
Both PE- and PVC-coated fabrics are dustproof and contain anti-fungal properties to prevent mold and mildew from occurring. This makes them equally easy to maintain.

Protect Your Property With Calhoun Super Structure
Many industries consider the advantages and disadvantages of PVC and polyethylene fabrics to find an adequate material for their needs. For businesses requiring durable, reliable, and cost-effective structures, the decision is simple - PE-coated fabrics offer exceptional benefits.

Calhoun Super Structure has a reputation for providing products engineered to last and our PE-coated material is a prime example of this. With our 3D Nonlinear Finite Element analysis, we'll determine the most suitable fabric for your environment, enabling you to build a structure that stands the test of time. If you're looking to ensure superior durability in your next commercial structure, contact our expert team to learn more about our PE fabric options.

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