Type Of Tarpaulin Material
Jul 25, 2017
Polyethylene
A tarp is used to identify a business.
A polyethylene tarpaulin ("polytarp") is not a traditional fabric, but rather, a laminate of woven and sheet material. The center is loosely woven from strips of polyethylene plastic, with sheets of the same material bonded to the surface. This creates a fabric-like material that resists stretching well in all directions and is waterproof. Sheets can be either of low density polyethylene (LDPE) or high density polyethylene (HDPE). When treated against ultraviolet light, these tarpaulins can last for years exposed to the elements, but non-UV treated material will quickly become brittle and lose strength and water resistance if exposed to sunlight.
Canvas
Canvas tarpaulins are not 100% waterproof, though they are water resistant. Thus, while a little bit of water for a short period of time will not affect them, when there is standing water on canvas tarps, or when water cannot quickly drain away from canvas tarps, the standing water will drip through this type of tarp.[11]
Vinyl
Polyvinyl chloride ("vinyl") tarpaulins are industrial-grade and intended for heavy-duty use. They are constructed of 10 oz/sq yd (340 g/m2) coated yellow vinyl. This makes it waterproof and have highabrasion resistance and tear strength. These resist oil, acid, grease and mildew. The vinyl tarp is ideal for agriculture, construction, industrial and trucks.[12]
Silnylon
Main article: silnylon
Tarp tents may be made of silnylon.
Color
For years manufacturers have used a color code to indicate the grade of tarpaulins, but not all manufacturers follow this traditional method of grading. Following this color-coded system, blue indicates a lightweight tarp, and typically has a weave count of 8×8 and a thickness of 0.005–0.006 in (0.13–0.15 mm). Silver is a heavy-duty tarp and typically has a weave count of 14×14 and a thickness of 0.011–0.012 in (0.28–0.30 mm).[13]
Some of the more common colors in that scheme are:
Color Name Approx. thickness Blue light-duty tarp 0.005–0.006 in (0.13–0.15 mm) Yellow/Orange medium-duty tarp 0.007–0.008 in (0.18–0.20 mm) Green medium-duty tarp 0.009–0.010 in (0.23–0.25 mm) Silver heavy-duty tarp 0.011–0.012 in (0.28–0.30 mm) Brown super-heavy-duty tarp 0.016 in (0.41 mm)
