Textile coating is a chemical application that gives textile materials technical properties, an aesthetic appearance and a distinctive hand feel. Applied to one or both sides of the fabric, it enhances product performance and service life.
What is coating?
It is the application of chemicals to the fabric surface in order to impart technical properties. Coating does not change the fabric itself; it adds a new surface, and the new behaviours that surface brings with it.
Which factors determine the application type?
Three: the viscosity of the chemical, the end usage and the process cost. The method is selected by weighing all three together — it is an economic decision as much as a technical one.
What does ideal substrate preparation look like?
For a good result the fabric must be clean, densely constructed and calendered. How even a coating turns out is never independent of how even the surface underneath it is.
Which industries use coated fabric?
- Safety and protection — water repellency in military apparel; chemical resistance in workwear.
- Technical and sportswear — upholstery fabrics gain flame retardancy and high abrasion resistance.
- Outdoor and marine — sportswear and sailcloth gain air-impermeability properties.
How much coating should be applied?
| Product group | Ideal dry coating amount (average) |
|---|---|
| Professional service apparel | 80 – 150 g/m² |
| Sportswear (sailing, surfing, etc.) | 50 – 100 g/m² |
| Casual and fashion products | 10 – 50 g/m² |
To look more closely at where coating is applied, these notes carry on from this one: protective textiles, sports textiles, tarpaulin and carpet backing. You can narrow down the right line for your own product with the Product Finder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is textile coating?
It is the application of chemicals to the fabric surface in order to impart technical properties. It is applied to one or both sides of the fabric and enhances the product's performance and service life.
How is the coating method selected?
By three factors: the viscosity of the chemical, the end usage area and the process cost. The application type is determined by weighing all three together.
How much coating should be applied?
Average ideal dry coating amounts are 80–150 g/m² for professional service apparel, 50–100 g/m² for sportswear (sailing, surfing and the like) and 10–50 g/m² for casual and fashion products.