Click Here to read: Heavy Duty Fabric - An Essay by W.W.
Heavy duty fabric is sometimes called canvas or tarp canvas, but this is not a correct term for Heavy Duty Fabric that is made of a fiber other than cotton. Only a woven cotton fabric more than 8 oz. per square yard could accurately be called canvas. Other heavy materials like CORDURA® or Ballistic Nylon are not technically canvas and should be referred to as heavy duty fabrics. Genuine Cordura® Nylon Fabric is still made in America. Waxed Canvas is mostly another name for CANVAK
Shown here is #2 Cotton Canvas, notice how thick it is..... Shown here is Naugahyde® the original and best known heavy duty vinyl leather replacement fabric
Heavy Duty Cotton canvas is also called Number Duck because the size of the fibers corresponded to an antiquated sizing system of spinning cotton into cotton yarn for making fabric. The number system stuck through the years, but to be more precise, cotton canvas is gauged by weight per square yard. Take a perfectly square piece of material 36 inches by 36 inches and weigh it in ounces, this is a more accurate measure of the fabric's thickness. For example: a #2 cotton canvas weighs 32 ounces per square yard. A square yard of #10 cotton canvas weighs about 14.73 ounces.
As you can see the numbers used to grade the weight of cotton canvas actually run backwards, contrary to numerical value, a #2 canvas is one of the heaviest and heavier than #4 canvas a #12 canvas would be lightest of all.
CANVAK Waxed Canvas
Prior to the 1980's the military used much cotton canvas to make military equipment with. Most of this canvas was "waxed", or more accurately spoken: treated with CANVAK a pungent smelling oily substance that gave the canvas a degree of water resistance and resistance to rotting and decay. Today, this sort of treated canvas is mostly used for reproductions and restorations of old military vehicles and equipment.
Synthetic Heavy Duty Fabric is a much newer invention than Cotton canvas that has been around since the early Egyptians or Chinese began weaving fabric thousands of years ago. Because it is newer, synthetic Heavy Duty Fabric is graded by a more modern and precise means, using "Denier" to express the size of the fiber used to weave the material. Informally, materials over 400 denier are considered heavy duty. Typically fabric Deniers go up to about 1500 or 1700. However, denier size does not always make a stronger fabric. Denier sizes over 1100 may make the fabric less strong because the size of the fibers make them more prone to fraying and unraveling. Due to their larger size and looser weave, it is much easier to snag or catch the strands of fiber on sharp objects.
Heavy Duty fabric like the 1050 Ballistic Nylon pictured above are used to make protector sleeves for hoses and cables. The tenacity and abrasion resistance of genuine 1050 Ballistic Nylon fabric makes it ideal for such uses as protecting delicate and expensive hydraulic hoses and communications cables of all types.
Canvas used to make tarps:
Canvas and Synthetic Heavy Duty Fabric are often used to make tarps. Good tarps made from heavy duty canvas or fabric, always have double stitched seams, and edges that are hemmed and reinforced with webbing and sewn with heavy duty nylon thread. Mesh, usually vinyl coated is also used to make vinyl mesh tarps Most importantly the holes used to tie the tarp down with rope or shock cord are always reinforced with quality brass grommets, not inferior aluminum grommets or plastic grommets, like so many imported, mass produced tarps found in big retail stores today.
| Fabric or Material | Brief Description of Fabric or Material & Uses |
| 400 Denier Nylon Pack Cloth | This is the same high quality fabric found in the big name backpacks and bags. Coated with Polyurethane on one side for water resistance |
| 200 X 500 Denier Glossy Nylon Heavy Duty Fabric | A heavy duty nylon fabric with a weave pattern that gives it a glossy shine |
| Genuine 500 Denier CORDURA� Heavy Duty Nylon Fabric | Genuine CORDURA�, Top of the line Rugged material from Invista � Urethane back coated for water resistance |
| Genuine 1000 Denier CORDURA� Heavy Duty Nylon Fabric | Genuine CORDURA�, High Denier, Top of the line Rugged material from Invista � Urethane back coated for water resistance |
| 1050 Denier Ballistic Nylon Extreme Heavy Duty Fabric | Heavy Duty Abrasion Resistant Fabric |
| 1680 Denier Luggage Grade Extreme Heavy Duty Nylon Fabric | Heavy Duty Abrasion Resistant Fabric used mainly for luggage |
| Natural Cotton Canvas No. 2 Super Heavy Number Duck | Raw Cotton Canvas, undyed and untreated also called Number Duck or Duck Cloth |
| Natural Cotton Canvas No. 4 Extra Heavy Number Duck | "" |
| Natural Cotton Canvas No. 8 Heavyweight Number Duck | "" |
| Natural Cotton Canvas No. 10 Medium weight Number Duck | "" |
| No. 10 Medium weight Dyed Number Duck | Dyed Cotton Canvas, general use |
| CANVAK Treated OD No. 10 Cotton Canvas | Cotton Canvas treated with Canvak Fabric protector. Water resistant, also called waxed canvas. |
| Natural Cotton Canvas No. 12 Lightweight Number Duck | Raw Cotton Canvas, undyed and untreated also called Number Duck or Duck Cloth |
| Dyed Cotton Canvas Traditional Natural Fiber Fabric | Lightweight, brushed cotton fabric, soft to the touch. |
| Cotton Ripstop Performance Natural Fiber Fabric | Cotton fabric with ripstop pattern that limits rips and tears |
| 10 Gauge Clear Vinyl Sheeting | Light Weight Outdoor rated clear vinyl great for windows in tents and canopies. |
| 12 Gauge Frosted Vinyl Sheeting | Decorative semi-transparent vinyl has a look like it has been frosted with ice |
| 20 Gauge Clear Vinyl Sheeting | Standard weight Outdoor rated clear vinyl great for windows in tents and canopies. |
| 20 Gauge Tinted Clear Vinyl Sheeting | Outdoor rated clear vinyl great for windows in tents and canopies. Tinted for reducing light levels |
| 40 Gauge Clear Heavy Vinyl Sheeting | Heavy weight Outdoor rated clear vinyl great for windows in tents and canopies. |
| Hypalon Advanced Elastomer Composite Material | Specially formulated material for extended use outdoors, lasts longer outside than most other materials |
| Textilene Plain Weave Designer Outdoor Vinyl Mesh 54 inch. Width | Commercial Grade Designer mesh fabric for outdoor furniture with antibacterial formulation |
| Textilene Chenille Designer Outdoor Vinyl Mesh 54 inch. Width | "" |
| Textilene Twists Designer Outdoor Vinyl Mesh 54 inch. Width | "" |
| 1.8 mm Vinyl Coated Polyester Mesh 72 inch. Width | Vinyl Coated Mesh fabric, general purpose |
| 0.75mm Vinyl Coated Polyester Solar Mesh | Vinyl Coated Mesh fabric, Saves energy by reducing window related cooling costs due to sunlight transmission |
| 2 mm Vinyl Coated Polyester Mesh | Vinyl Coated Mesh fabric, general purpose |
| 0.25mm No-see-um Netting | Extra fine netting for insect netting applications |
| 0.8 mm Polyester Mosquito Netting | Standard size netting for insect netting applications |
| 840 X 1680 Denier Nylon Leno Mesh Fabric | Stiff Nylon Mesh for luggage and general use |
| Camo-Leno Nylon Camouflage Mesh | Stiff Nylon Mesh for luggage, camouflage, hunting and general use |
| 1.5mm Polyester Hex-Mesh Fabric | Heavy Duty Polyester mesh, high strength, great for grass catchers on lawnmowers, luggage and general use |
| 3mm Nylon Hex-Mesh Fabric | Heavy Duty Nylon Mesh for luggage and general use. |
| 6mm Nylon Hex-Mesh Fabric | General purpose, heavy duty mesh fabric |
| 9mm Nylon Diamond Mesh | Soft highly flexible netting material, general purpose |
| 12mm Nylon Diamond Mesh | Soft highly flexible netting material, general purpose |
| 18mm Vegetation Camo Mesh | For making camouflage nets, 18mm hole size allows vegetation to be attached to net |
| 22mm Polyester Hex-Mesh Netting | Heavy Duty General purpose netting material, large hole size |
| 10 foot wide 44mm Nylon Square Mesh Netting | Heavy Duty Netting material with very large mesh size, commonly used in sports netting applications |
| Safara-Tex Textured Fire Resistant Upholstery Vinyl | Heavy Duty Textured Vinyl for auto upholstery and luggage applications |
| Military Tent Material with IR blocking Milspec No. MIL-PRF-44103D | Genuine Military Issue Vinyl material with IR blocking capabilities, fire resistant also |
| Rubber-Duc � 7S Safety Flag Material Lightweight Vinyl coated Polyester | Lightweight Outdoor rated vinyl material for making safety flags, wind socks and general outdoor use. |
| Rubber-Duc 18FR 18 oz. Flame Resistant Meets Milspec Mil-C-20696E, Par. 4.3.7 | Heavy Duty Outdoor rated vinyl, fire resistant, and resistant to many chemicals. Cold weather proof, does not crack at low temperatures. Meets military specifications. |
| General Purpose Military Vinyl Milspec MIL-C-43006 G | Military grade vinyl for general use, outdoor rated, fire resistant |
| 600 X 300 Denier, 7 Mil. PVC Backed Polyester Fabric | Composite material, polyester fabric backed with heavy Vinyl, waterproof |
| Commercial / Restaurant Grade Flannel Backed Table Cloth Vinyl � Classic Colors | Durable table cloth material used in restaurants across the country |
| Commercial / Restaurant Grade Flannel Backed Table Cloth Vinyl- Classic Checker Pattern | Durable table cloth material used in restaurants across the country |
| Commercial / Restaurant Grade Flannel Backed Table Cloth Vinyl - Clover Field Pattern | Durable table cloth material used in restaurants across the country |
| 70 Denier Nylon Taffeta with 3 Mil. PVC Laminated Backing | Fine Nylon Taffeta fabric backed with Vinyl, waterproof |
| Silk-iene Silicone Coated Nylon Ripstop | Lightweight, semi transparent fabric used to make kites, inflatable outdoor advertising displays and other items. |
| Luma-Fab GT High Performance Luminescent Textile (Glow in the dark Fabric) 400D Nylon | Glow in the dark fabric, several varieties available including fire resistant Nomex |
| Weather Max | Advanced Polymer fabric, waterproof and outdoor rated for constant exposure, great for umbrellas, awnings and sun shades. |
| Toughtek Neoprene Non-Slip Fabric, Standard Texture | Rubberized non slip, abrasion resistant material that stretches |
| Gripp-Tac TM Tactical Grip Fabric Low Stretch, Non-Slip Fabric | Rubberized non slip, abrasion resistant material that with limited stretch |
| Rhinotek Abrasion Resistant, Waterproof Composite Material | Heavy Duty, Textured, Abrasion resistant, puncture resistant, waterproof composite material |
| Hypalon Advanced Elastomer Composite Material | Specially formulated material for extended use outdoors, lasts longer outside than most other materials |
| 3mm Neoprene Wetsuit Material | High Quality, Closed Cell Neoprene foam with Stretchable nylon laminated on both sides |
| Toughtek Non-Slip Rubberized Mesh Material Standard Texture | Rubberized non slip, abrasion resistant material that stretches with Standard Texture |
| Toughtek Non-Slip Fabric, Narraganset Texture | Rubberized non slip, abrasion resistant material that stretches with special bumpy texture |
| Toughtek Non-Slip Fabric, Mini-Pique Texture | Rubberized non slip, abrasion resistant material that stretches with special diagonal texture |
| Toughtek Non-Slip Pigskin Stretch, Stretchable Fabric | Rubberized non slip, abrasion resistant material with extra stretch capability |
| Reprotek Abrasion Resistant, Waterproof Composite Material | Abrasion Resistant material made from recycled tires, green fabric, earthy friendly |
| Stainless Steel Ultra Fine Fabric | A specialized material that features Electromagnetic shielding capabilities, 100 percent Stainless steel construction |
| Waterproof Nylon, Breathable Membrane Fabric | Similar to Goretex, breathable membrane allows water vapor to escape but prevents water droplets from coming in |
| 70 Denier Nylon Taffeta Coated with 1/2 oz. Poly Urethane | Light weight, water resistant fabric with high flexibility |
| Metallic Mirror Finish, 70 Denier Laminated Nylon Ripstop | Highly reflective, lightweight material for safety signaling applications and decorative uses, has a mirror finish that can be seen for miles on a clear sunny day. |
| Water Proof Lycra Nylon | Stretchable Lycra fabric with a waterproof backing |
| Coated Stretchable Polyester | Stretchable polyester material with a poly coating |
| 70 Denier Aluminized Nylon Ripstop | Lightweight tear resistant material with an air resistant aluminum coating |
| Diamondback Composite Ripstop TM | High Strength tear resistant fabric with an interesting and functional woven pattern, great for display cases. |
| 1000 Denier CORDURA� Autumn Tan | Genuine CORDURA�, High Denier, Top of the line Rugged material from Invista , with camouflage print that simulates fall time foliage in northern forrests and woodlands |
| 1000 Denier CORDURA� Universal III (acid Washed) Mil Spec MIL-C-43734D,CL 2/3 | Genuine CORDURA�, High Denier, Top of the line Rugged material from Invista , with new "digital" military camouflage print |
| 600 D Textured Polyester with Urethane Back Coating Backwoods | Heavy Duty Polyester fabric with Camouflage print |
| 1000 Denier CORDURA� Woodland | Genuine CORDURA�, High Denier, Top of the line Rugged material from Invista , with traditional woodland |
| True Timber MC2 Camouflage Pattern on 300 D Polyester | Camouflage Print by True Timber® |
| True Timber XD3 Camouflage Pattern on 300 D Polyester | Another Camouflage Print by True Timber® |
Visit our other websites
www.bucklewebbinghardware.com for information about webbing & strap hardware
and www.nylonwebbingstraps.com for info on webbing to reinforce the edges of tarps
www.elasticshockcord.biz for shock cord used to tie down tarps.
www.grommettool.biz to learn about tools used to set quality brass grommets for tarps made of heavy duty fabric and canvas
www.vinylfabric.co
www.meshfabric.biz