PVC-coated polyester fabric is a mass product that can be found in a variety of applications like bill boards, tents, roofing membranes and tarpaulin for covering trailers.
Although its production process is already highly efficient, this can be surpassed by using the same ingredients for making a crossply laminate. Instead of weaving the polyester fabric at a low speed, the production of a UD by impregnating a thin layer of these fibres with PVC emulsion can be realised at twenty meters per minute. Subsequently, the thermoplastic nature of the PVC makes it possible to combine two of these UD-rolls to one roll of laminate with mechanical properties that are appropriate for aforementioned demanding purposes. Moreover, extra functionalities can be integrated straightforwardly by locally increasing the fibre weight – for creating stretchers in the tarpaulin – or by introducing different yarns for additional reinforcement. Last mentioned option is especially interesting for making a theft-proof laminate. Reality namely learns that tarpaulin covered trailers are extremely vulnerable to this form of crime, which normally starts by cutting spy holes in the fabric for a quick inspection of the content. This can be prevented by incorporation of steel cord in the UD at a spacing of one to several centimetres. The grid which then automatically is formed in the crossply process provides a cutting resistance that is considerably higher than the protection meshes which are currently available. While the Defender® fabric from Ferrari fails at a force of 350 N, a steel cord reinforced crossply laminate holds on up to 580 N. Under these circumstances, perhaps only a few persistent thieves will manage to get a glimpse of the cargo.