High seam strength architectural fabric
View Patent ↗An article useful as an architectural fabric having (a) a plurality of segments of fabric having a first surface and a second surface made of polytetrafluoroethylene fibers; and (b) a fluoropolymer coating disposed on at least the first surface of the fabric, and (c) at least one seam formed by an overlap of two of said segments, said seam having a seam warp strip tensile strength that is substantially equal to said nominal warp strip tensile strength at room temperature.
1. An architectural fabric for retractable, temporary, or permanent structures comprising:
a. a plurality of segments, each segment comprising:
i. a layer of fabric having a first surface and a second surface and comprising expanded polytetrafluoroethylene fibers, said layer of fabric having a nominal warp strip tensile strength; and
ii. a fluoropolymer coating disposed on at least one of said first surface and said second surface and extending between and among said fibers from said respective first or second surface; and
b. at least one seam formed by an overlap of two of said segments, said seam having a seam warp strip tensile strength that is substantially equal to said nominal warp strip tensile strength at room temperature;
wherein said architectural fabric has a light transmission of at least 40%, and is waterproof and flame retardant.
2. An architectural fabric as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluoropolymer coating comprises PVDF.
3. An architectural fabric as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluoropolymer coating comprises ETFE.
4. An architectural fabric as defined in claim 1 wherein said overlap is 2.5 inches and said seam warp strip tensile strength at room temperature is greater than 456 lbf/in.
5. An architectural fabric as defined in claim 1 wherein said overlap is 2.5 inches and said seam warp strip tensile strength at 70 degrees C. is greater than 300 lbf/in.
6. An architectural fabric as defined in claim 1 wherein said overlap is 2.5 inches and said seam has a fill strip tensile strength at room temperature that is greater than 400 lbf/in.
7. An architectural fabric as defined in claim 1 wherein said overlap is 2.5 inches and said seam has a fill strip tensile strength at 70 degrees C. that is greater than 200 lbf/in.
8. An architectural fabric as defined in claim 1 wherein said seam is a radio frequency or hot bar welded seam.
9. An architectural fabric as defined in claim 1 further comprising a pigment in said fluoropolymer coating.
10. An architectural fabric as defined in claim 1 wherein said fibers are densified.
11. An architectural fabric as defined in claim 1 wherein said fibers further comprise a filler.