Fabric Coatings For Military Tents

Types, compositions, and functions of commonly used fabric coatings for military tents

1, PU polyurethane coating (mainstream)

1. PU ordinary coating - composition: polyurethane resin
-Function: Basic waterproof, water pressure is generally 800-3000mm; the fabric is soft, not easy to crack when folded, and has moderate breathability; Affordable price, standard camping tent.
-Disadvantages: Long term exposure to sunlight can cause aging and peeling of the film, with average low temperature resistance.
2. PU thickening/PU double coating - double-sided coating, waterproof water pressure 3000 – 8000mm, rainstorm, long-term rain and impermeable; Wear resistant and tear resistant, commonly used in command and warehouse military tents.
3. PU silver coating (PU+silver powder) - Function: Reflective insulation, blocking infrared and ultraviolet rays; Internal cooling in summer to reduce sun exposure and temperature rise; It also has a mild anti infrared reconnaissance effect.

2, PA polyacrylate coating (cost-effective)

-Ingredients: Acrylic resin
-Function: waterproof, UV resistant, anti-aging better than ordinary PU, not easy to powdery when exposed to the sun; The hand feel is relatively hard, and it is prone to creasing and leaking when folded; Medium waterproof water pressure, commonly used for simple sunshade and temporary camouflage tents.
-Features: Not easy to stick to dust, acid and alkali resistant, suitable for outdoor dust environments.

3, PVC polyvinyl chloride coating (heavy-duty waterproof)

-Ingredients: PVC adhesive layer, thick
-Function: Ultra high waterproof (water pressure>10000mm), completely impermeable, and highly airtight; Resistant to rain, snow, oil stains, wear, and flame retardancy; Low temperature non permeable, commonly used in high-altitude, flood resistant, and battlefield medical tents.
-Disadvantages: Thick and stiff fabric, prone to whitening and cracking when folded, poor breathability, and hot and humid summers.

4, Silicone coating (high-end lightweight)

Single silicon and dual silicon coatings

-Function: Ultra light, high tear strength, excellent waterproofing; High temperature resistance, UV resistance, and aging resistance; Low friction coefficient, not easily scratched or damaged by tree branches.
-Military scenarios: airdrops, lightweight tents for individual soldiers, field reconnaissance tents.
-Disadvantages: weak adhesion, unable to heat press the adhesive strip, requiring manual sewing; High cost.

5, Silver coating (thermal insulation reflective coating, often compounded with PU/PA)

1. Aluminum silver coating - reflects visible light, ultraviolet light, and near-infrared light: provides shade and cooling, reduces the temperature difference inside the tent; Weaken infrared features, weaken satellite and night vision device heat source observation, military concealed core coating.
2. Black adhesive coating (blackout black aluminum coating) - completely blackout, isolating strong light; Significantly blocking thermal radiation, the temperature control effect in summer far exceeds that of ordinary silver coating; Use of command post, battlefield operating room, and night vision tent.

6, Special military functional coating

1. Flame retardant coating (CP flame retardant, phosphorus based flame retardant)

-Function: It extinguishes upon contact with fire, does not sustain combustion, and has no dripping of molten metal; Tents for positions, fuel warehouses, and canteens are mandatory to prevent the spread of open flames.

2. Anti infrared/anti low light coating (IR coating)

-Composite metal particles that absorb and reflect infrared wavelengths; Reducing the recognition of nighttime infrared imaging and concealing positions is an exclusive coating for military tents.

3. Anti mold and antibacterial coating

-Adding antibacterial agents can inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria in humid, rainforest, and coastal environments in the south, prevent tarpaulins from becoming moldy, perforated, and emitting odors.

4. Anti static coating

-Eliminating frictional static electricity, avoiding the generation of electric sparks, specifically designed for oil and ammunition storage tents, explosion-proof and safe.

5. Wear resistant and scratch resistant coating (PU wear-resistant surface coating)

-Thickened wear-resistant resin on the surface to resist friction from sand, gravel, tree branches, and equipment, extending the service life in the wild.

7, Coating combination (common composite solution for military tents)

1. Regular camping: outer PA waterproof+inner PU coated with silver insulation
2. High cold rainproof command tent: double-sided PU thickened waterproof+IR anti infrared+flame retardant
3. Heavy duty warehouse/medical account: PVC fully covered waterproof+flame-retardant and mildew proof
4. Lightweight reconnaissance tent: dual silicon waterproof+thin silver layer anti infrared
5. Light avoidance combat command post: outer PU waterproof+inner black adhesive full shading