A waterproof fabric for the production of awnings has been rendered flame-retardant through the application of a transparent, halogen-free polyurethane (PU) coating.The manufacturer of the fabric, markilux of Emsdetten, Germany, says that its sunvas perla FR meets the B1 rating stipulated in European Standard EN 13501 -1(1). It adds that the colour intensity of the fabric is barely affected by the application of the PU coating.According to the Director of Research and Development and Production at markilux, Michael Gerling, rendering the fabric both waterproof and flame-retardant was challenging because "additives used in the flame-retardant finish are hygroscopic, whereas in contrast, the adhesive for the fluorocarbon, which makes the fabric waterproof, is flammable". The company overcame this issue to create a fabric that is not only waterproof and flame-retardant, but that also remains pliable at low temperatures.
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