産業繊維製品というのは、いわゆる「アパレル」以外の繊維製品を指します。建築用、土木用、農業用、ハイテク工業用、宇宙開発用、航空用、各種産業用、医療用と各方面で繊維製品は活躍していますがそれらすべてを含みます。
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Q: What is Tyvek/Kevlar/Nomex and where can I buy it?

A: All three products are registered trademarks of E.I. DuPont De Nemours & Co. Inc., Wilmington, Del. Tyvek is a spunbonded olefin fabric that is used in numerous applications, including disposable protective clothing and mailing envelopes. Kevlar is an aramid fiber known for its high tensile strength and temperature and chemical resistance. It is used in a variety of applications, most notably bullet-resistant vests and cut/ abrasion protective equipment. Nomex is another aramid fiber, popular for its ability to withstand high temperatures and certain chemicals. Because of these properties, it is frequently used in firefighter gear and other protective applications. For technical information and a list of Tyvek, Kevlar or Nomex suppliers, contact DuPont at 800/453-8527 or 302/992-0423.

Q: Where can I find a list of companies that do custom coating/laminating/sewing/cutting?

A: There are many companies that do custom work, and Information Central can refer you to many IFAI members that perform these types of services. Don't forget to check your local telephone directory, however, especially when it comes to custom or contract sewing.

Q: We are trying to screen print polyethylene banner material and aren't having any luck. What do we need to do to make the paint or ink stick?

A: Polyethylene is almost chemically inert. Paints and inks won't stick to the material because their solvents can't penetrate its surface. You need to use a corona-treated polyethylene. Corona treating involves putting tiny parallel lines on the film via an electrostatic process. The inks then stick to the lines on the film.

Q: What is the difference between spandex and Lycra fabrics?

A: According to the Federal Trade Commission's Textile Fiber Products Identification Act, spandex is the generic fiber name of a manufactured fiber that is composed of at least 85 percent polyurethane. DuPont's spandex fiber goes by the trade name Lycra, and is so famous that Lycra has become essentially synonymous with spandex.

Q: What companies manufacture radio-frequency welding equipment?

A: Although many companies supply RF welding equipment, we are aware of only a few that actually manufacture it. They are Kabar Mfg. Corp., Farmington, N.Y., 516/694-6857; Thermex Thermatron Inc.; Bayshore, N.Y., 516/231-7800; Hall Dielectric Machinery Co. Inc., Rock Hill, S.C., 803/324-0202, Markperi International Enterprises, Islandia, N.Y., 516/342-8900, and USF Machine Systems Inc., Smyrna, Ga., 404/435-0030.

Q: What are the flammability standards for trailer pop-up camping tents?

A: Two oft-cited flammability standards for trailer pop-up camping tent fabrics are CPAI-84 and FMVSS 302. CPAI-84 is a voluntary camping tent flammability standard developed by the Canvas Products Association International, now known as IFAI. Contact IFAI for a copy of CPAI-84. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 302 is a fabric flammability standard for interior automobile materials. It generally is considered the less strict of the two standards.

Q: What companies make brass awning frames?

A: Although brass looks spiffy, it does not hold up well in an awning-frame application because of its tendency to corrode, which results in reduced strength. To achieve the same look, your best bet is to have brass plating or fittings applied over a standard awning frame.

Q: Our customer has specified Prismax for his awnings. Where can we buy it?

A: Prismax, a popular 19.1-ounce fabric, now is manufactured under the trade name Awnmax. Awnmax is identical to Prismax, except that it has an anti-wicking treatment to make it more mildew resistant. Awnmax is sold in the eastern United States by A. Baer Co., 800/769-7779, and in the western United States and Canada by Western Rim Industries, 604/276-8548.

Q: What companies re-cover umbrellas?

A: Some umbrella manufacturers also recover frames: Treasure Garden Inc., Baldwin Park, Calif., 818/814-0168, and Zip-Jack Industries Inc., Elmsford, N.Y., 914/592-2000. There also are many custom shops that do this type of work.

Q: Where can I buy a fabric that meets military specifications?

A: Before we can answer this question, we need to know the specification's name, class and type. This information is necessary to locate a fabric.

Q: What is jute and how is it used?

A: Jute is a bast fiber known for its UV, micro-organism and insect resistance. ThisÞber is commonly used to make twine, and fabrics for bagging, carpet backing and upholstery. Jute fabrics are often called "burlap," although some burlap is made from polypropylene. Most of the jute available in the United States is imported.

Q: Can you please send me a list of the cheapest suppliers of fabric?

A: We get variations of this question on a daily basis. Unfortunately, this is one inquiry that Information Central cannot answer. IFAI's status as a not-for-profit trade association legally restrains us from distributing or taking part in pricing information. The United States government feels that associations such as IFAI are in a position, due to connections in the industry, to have an effect on the market place, trade, and prices. However, if you are a member of IFAI, we will gladly provide you with a list of fabric suppliers categories in Section 1 of your Buyers Guide.

Q: We have been unable to locate the Naugahyde Co. Can you help us?

A: Naugahyde is the trademark of a coated fabric, not the name of a company. The fabric is produced by Uniroyal Engineered Products Co., Sarasota, Fla., 800/873-8800 or 941/361-2119.

Q: Where can we get airbag fabric "seconds" to use for truck covers and tarps?

A: Calling an airbag fabric that didn't meet specification a "second" can be a little misleading. These specialty ballistic fabrics are required to meet extremely stringent performance requirements, and if anything is out of spec, it cannot be used to make an airbag. Although a fabric might not pass for airbag applications, it usually is still a very high quality material. Airbag fabric suppliers that sell their seconds are Diversitex Inc., West Caldwell, N.J., 201/808-4566; Highland Industries, Greensboro, N.C., 800/423-4773; Milliken & Co., New York City, 212/819-4649; and JPS Industrial Corp., Greenville, S.C., 803/239-4808.

Q: What companies make polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-coated fiberglass fabric for architectural fabric structures?

A: We are aware of two suppliers of such material: Chemfab, Merrimack, N.H., 603/424-9000, and DCI, Norcross, Ga., 770/416-1123.

Q: What company makes and distributes Signtech illuminated awning fabric?

A: Although we get a number of calls asking for Signtech fabric, Signtech is actually the supplier's name. Signtech USA, whose product line includes Colortac, Flexface, Plastiprint and Glascote, can be reached at 210/436-4777.

Q: What companies sell rebuilt oscillator tubes for RF welding equipment?

A: We know of four companies that provide rebuilt oscillator tubes. They are Hall Dielectric Machinery Co. Inc., Rock Hill, S.C., 803/324-0202, High Frequency Technology Co. Inc., Deer Park, N.Y., 516/242-3020; Markperi International Enterprises, Bayshore, N.Y., 516/342-8900; Nemeth Engineering, Crestwood, Ky., 502/241-1502; and Vacuum Tube Industries, Brockton, Mass., 508/584-4500.

Q: Where can we buy Gore-Tex fabrics?

A: Gore-Tex is actually a breathable water vapor barrier made from expanded PTFE. This membrane can be applied to a variety of substrates to make "Gore-Tex" fabrics. For more information on fabric suppliers, contact W.L. Gore & Associates, Elkton, Md., 410/392-3200.