PVC Fabric Guide: Uses, Feaures & More

Vinyl-coated polyester mesh is one of the most commonly used materials in the world. Available in different weights and strengths, it’s used for everything from tote bags to patio sling chairs to banners, truck tarps and beyond.

Most woven vinyl mesh fabric starts with a polyester yarn as the core, which is then extruded with vinyl (also known as PVC). Each yarn is individually extruded and bonded to the polyester core yarn. The PVC coating means that no moisture can reach the polyester fiber, making it extremely durable and prevents wear from freezing and thawing in cold weather.

The strength and dimensional stability of vinyl-coated polyester mesh fabric is determined by a number of factors including the original thickness of the polyester yarn (also known as the denier), the strength (technically referred to as the “tenacity”) of the yarns, and how densely the yarns are woven together (in laymen’s terms, how many yarns per inch). The thicker the yarn and the more yarns per inch, the stronger the final fabric.

Many of Phifer’s PVC-coated mesh fabrics use 100% polyester yarns as a base, but our Phifertex® PVC/Olefin Blends are a little different. As their name suggests, this fabric is woven with a mix of PVC-coated polyester and soft olefin fibers to add extra softness without compromising on strength.

All Phifertex fabrics are “slingable,” which means that they are strong and dimensionally stable enough to support the weight of a person in sling furniture without the fabric sagging or splitting.

What is Mesh: From Fashion Statement to Medical Must-Have

What is Mesh?

The world of fashion has seen the popularity of mesh garments soar within the last few years, but exactly what is mesh, and why are stores and designers alike fawning over it? This sheer, soft fabric with tons of tiny holes has been loosely woven or knitted to create the signature look and structure.

How is Mesh made?

‘Mesh’ itself refers to a knitted structure of fibres and is technically a barrier created from connected strands. The yarns are knitted or woven together, resulting in a fabric with open spaces in between the strands of yarn. Mesh isn’t only used for fashion fabrics, and can be made from a huge range of materials depending on its intended use – it isn’t limited to fabrics for textiles.

What is Mesh made from?

When it comes to mesh fabric, the material is typically made from polyester or nylon. The synthetic fibers are woven to create a flexible, net-like fabric which has a huge range of uses. Contrasting to this, mesh can also be created from metals for a sturdier and more structured material, often for industrial use.

Nylon vs. Polyester Mesh

Mesh fabric is typically made from polyester or nylon, and on face value, these two types of mesh don’t seem all that different. Both synthetics can be used for similar applications, but there are differences between the two types of fabric. Nylon is made from polyamides, whilst polyester is comprised of polyester materials and can also be made using plant materials. As a result, polyester is more fibrous to the touch while the feeling of nylon resembles silk. Nylon also has more stretch to it than polyester. Nylon is longer-lasting than polyester, so for items that will have a lot of wear and tear it may be the better option to go for.

History of Mesh in Fashion

Mesh fashion isn’t just a recent trend; it dates all the way back to 1888 and has fluctuated in popularity ever since. It began when British mill owner Lewis Haslam was out with his aunt and noticed that her gloves had a few holes in them. She replied that her hands were still warm despite this, and thus the idea of mesh came to fruition.

Haslam created the original Aertex mesh material, which was labeled as being hygienic and breathable despite temperature changes, and began originally producing men’s shirts and undergarments. In the 1980s Adidas began using Aertex fabric for their sportswear, causing a surge in popularity both in sportswear and general everyday fashion. The popularity of mesh continued to grow, with celebrities donning mesh vests and dresses all over MTV.

What is Mesh used for?

Polyester or nylon fabric mesh is generally used for creating casual garments and fashionwear, such as vests, dresses, and other items to be layered. Mesh is still incredibly popular in sportswear due to its breathability and being able to regulate temperature well. Polyester mesh is also used for creating the mesh screens used in screen-printing, due to its water-resistant properties and the miniature holes allowing ink to pass through the fabric.

Net mesh has a wider range of uses and is generally used to create parts of tents and camping gear. The breathable nature of the fabric means it’s perfect for regulating temperature in different weather conditions, making it ideal for camping equipment. It also prevents insects from being able to bite the skin, which is essential for certain types of camping.

One very common but perhaps surprising use for mesh is in the medical industry; it has become commonplace in surgical procedures and is primarily used to support organs or tissues. There are two main types of surgical mesh, temporary or permanent. A temporary sheet will dissolve in the body over time, whereas a permanent one will remain in the body. The loosely woven sheet of synthetic fibers is most commonly used in hernia surgery, or for prolapsed organs.

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