Almost any time spent on the water is time well spent. But sometimes adding the right inflatable boat accessories can take your experience to the next level. Inflatable boat accessories can be anything from electronic gadgets to safety gear to stylish necessities. If you’re thinking about what improvements you can make to your boat for 2021, check out these top … Read More
When it comes to investing in an inflatable boat, the quality of the seams is critical. Nearly every raft is made up of multiple panels held together by seams. If those seams were to fail mid-trip, all of the air would quickly leak out of your boat. In general, there are two methods for bonding the seams of an inflatable … Read More
As river rafting transitioned from an unusual hobby to a mainstream outdoor sport in the 1970s and 1980s, Glenn Lewman recognized the need for better boats. At the time, nearly all rafts were made from PVC simply because it was inexpensive. But Lewman saw the potential of another material – TPU – that would offer superior durability and raft design. … Read More
The technical coated-fabrics that are used to construct inflatable boat bladders require strength, flexibility, wear resistance, puncture resistance, and, of course, ease in welding and handling, among other attributes. Most modern, certified options are nylon or polyester fabrics coated with either Hypalon (CSM), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), or Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). However, TPU-coating dominates the market for good reasons. Let’s explore … Read More
Flexible fuel bladders are a preferred alternative to steel and composite tanks for fuel storage, especially in situations where critical infrastructure is compromised or non-existent. The wide range of applications and extreme environmental conditions result in very demanding material specifications; Endurance, safety, and ecological considerations, all come into play. In this article, we will take a dive into the specifics … Read More
Photo courtesy of SAFE Boats International The Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) construction market has traditionally been driven by factors such as boat lifespan, endurance, durability, ease of manufacture, field repair, and cost. In this article, we are looking into factors that have come into play during the last decade, shifting interest towards Polyurethane fabric for RIB construction, in place of … Read More
Retro reflection is a property used with various products and applications, providing increased visibility in low lighting conditions by means of passive illumination. From sheets and paint used in road signs, to critical applications like marine safety equipment, it is clear that retro-reflective materials enable the creation of a wide array of effective products. For many industry sectors using retro-reflective … Read More
A particularly significant milestone in the development cycle of any new technology, is its use in a real life product or application. Rightfully so, as it is one of the best ways to demonstrate its usefulness, showcase its potential, and spark imagination for new applications of the technology. In this case study, we will be taking a detailed look into … Read More
The European coated technical textiles industry is enjoying a strong market presence, as well as deep technical know how. The EU coated textiles and thermoplastics market is in lockstep with the overall technical textiles sector, which is projected to expand and grow with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5% for the next five to six years. This growth is … Read More
Techtextil2019 is a leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens, taking place in Frankfurt from 14 to 17 of May 2019. This international exhibition hosts more than 1,400 technical textiles companies of all sizes and from the industry’s entire spectrum. Manufacturers showcase products to more than 33,000 visitors, for a full range of applications including architecture, automotive, construction, … Read More
The current state of the coated technical textiles market in the US is very positive, which is due to several converging factors. For one, the increased rate of US GDP and the overall optimistic state of the US economy have positively affected the coated textile market as well. Moreover, the US government has announced “The Bipartisan Budget Act”, an act … Read More
Sourcing coated textiles for your marine products means you’re certainly considering different companies and potentially considering different varieties of coatings that are applicable to your end product. While you probably have a good idea exactly what you want, here are five questions you should consider to make sure your product will work as desired and the marine fabric supplier is … Read More
When sourcing fabrics for marine safety end products, many manufacturers look to textile suppliers for various types of TPU coated nylon fabric and TPU coated polyester fabric. TPU coated nylon and polyester textiles are primarily used for inflatable life jacket bladders and for inflatable life rafts. Within the marine industry, the technical and regulatory specifications required for the end product … Read More