What is Polyethylene?
we understand the properties of polyethylene (PE) fabric. Other fabric structure companies may fail to fully comprehend the mechanics of a PE fabric building, which usually leads to premature repairs and replacements. Calhoun uses a specialized approach that prevents the tension fabric membranes from weakening or breaking down sooner than expected.
Before a fabric structure is designed and installed, it is essential to understand how polyethylene fabric behaves as a building material. Let’s review what PE material is and how uses it to build fabric structures that benefit you.
What Is PE Fabric?
Polyethylene fabric is a lighter type of architectural fabric consisting of a woven scrim protected between two outer layers of plasticized coating. These coatings contain helpful protectants to last the life of your building — a lifespan that generally ranges decades. Fungicide-resistant fabrics prevent mold growth in humid or rainy climates, while ultraviolet stabilizers keep the fabric from fading or breaking down under the sun’s intense rays. A flame-retardant coating is also available.
Before PE fabric was introduced to the fabric-covered building industry, the overstressing of tension fabric membranes posed a major issue during manufacturing and installation. Polyethylene fabric performs well when the material is subjected to proper tension both horizontally and vertically. If the structure is shaped using a nonlinear analysis, the fabric should not move under pressure from the various environmental loads applied. PE fabric also has a lower initial price than heavier architectural fabrics.