inflatable boat

Inflatable boats, kayaks, accessories and products for inflatable boats, accessories for powerboats, sailboats yachts, and more.


A to Z PRODUCT MENU

Arches, Frames, Towers
Apparel
Boats
Bouncer Trampolines
Canoes - Inflatable
Consoles
Covers - Inflatables
Davits - Inflatable Boat
Dinghies
Dinghy Davits
Dinghy Launch Wheels
Engine Covers
Engine Brackets
Engine Carry Cases
Engine Jack Plates
Engine Mounts
Inflatable Bouncers
Inflatable Boats
Inflatable Canoes
Inflatable Kayaks
Inflatable Boat Davits
Inflatable Boat Paint
Inflatable Boat Parts
Inflatable Boat Sealant
Inflatable Seating
Inflatable Storage Bags
Inflatable Tow Sleds
Inflatable Towables
Inflatable Trampolines
Jack Plates
Kayaks
Keel Guard Strips
Launching Wheels
Lights
Motor Carry Cases
Motor Covers
Motor Mount Brackets
Outboard Cases
Outboard Covers
Outboard Motor Mounts
Paint - Inflatable Repair
Planing Fins
Propeller Guards
Repair Paint Inflatables
Rigid Inflatable Boats
Sealant for Inflatables
Seating & Consoles
Steering Systems
Stabilizers for Engines
Storage Bags
Tilt Trim Systems
Tenders for Yachts
Towables - Inflatables
Trampolines
Trim Tab Lights
Wakeboard Racks
Wakeboard Speakers
Wakeboard Towers
Water Bouncers
Water Sleds
Yacht Tenders

 

SeaEagle.com - Quality Inflatable Boats

 

 


November 11, 2003
Website: http://www.inflatable-boats-kayaks-accessories.com

Inflatable boat fabric and construction materials
A major component of an inflatable boat is obviously the fabric. Inflatable boat fabric technology has evolved greatly over the last 20 to 30 years, and now includes plastomers, polyurethanes and other fabrics, which can sometimes be stronger, lighter, thinner and less expensive to assemble than the original rubber fabrics. Of course it costs a great deal of money to develop new fabrics or even to switch manufacturing processes to use them. Many manufacturers, big and small, don't have the will or the resources to do this, and that's why they generally hide that fact by resorting to condemning new technological advances in fabrics.

For instance, Zodiac's fabrics have always been on the leading edge of technology and their willingness to research and experiment has led to some innovative new fabrics. These new fabrics are developed to be the best for their intended use. Fabrics used for a small tender don't need to be the same as those for a large RIB, because the intended use is not the same. Some manufacturers do not have the means or know-how to employ different fabrics, so they just use one. In these cases the consumer, may end up paying too much or getting too little.

Most fabrics consist of a strong, close-weave mesh of polyester or nylon material which is sandwiched between 2 coatings to provide extreme flexibility, superior air and water tightness, as well as resistance to abrasion and the sun's UV rays. Zodiac uses a polyurethane fabric called "Strongan" and assembles their inflatable boats by thermobonding the fabric.

Heavy Duty Fabrics
Some inflatable boats are still made from a rubber-based fabric called Hypalon. While this is still a very good material, its major downfall is that it can only be joined by gluing, done manually. Problems including poor bonds, delamination of seams or fabric can still affect these glued fabrics. Today, many inflatables are manufactured from polyurethane fabrics, although larger inflatables (particularly RIBs used for rescue or military purposes) use hypalon because thicker hypalon fabrics are still considered to be stronger and more durable than polyurethane. There are some hypalon fabrics that are "2-ply" or a double unit made up of hypalon/weave/hypalon/weave/hypalon and are used for extreme situations including bumper padding, bow skirts, anti-chafe patches and similar applications.

Seams
Apart from its superior toughness and durability, Zodiac's Strongan fabric allows the use of Zodiac's computerized machine-welding process known as "thermobonding", the welding of fabric using hot air. Two sealing strips are thermally bonded to the butted fabric seams in a continuous electrothermal process. A highly airtight seal is created when the narrow inner strip literally melts into the collar material. The wider exterior strip functions as a overlapping structural connection and a sealer against water penetration. Thermobonding creates seams that are typically stronger than the fabric itself and produces a better seam than any hand-gluing method.

 

About The Author:
T. Chevrier is a successful author and publisher of several online articles in the inflatable boat industry for
www.inflatable-boats-kayaks-accessories.com

For more information on inflatable boats, or to choose from a variety of related products and services, choose from the following:

Bookmark Site

 

 
 

Follow us on:
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube

Featured Boat Product
SeaEagle.com


Related Information


SUPPLIERS & MANUFACTURERS
Add your products to our site?



Great Products +
Low Prices +
Great Service =
An enjoyable buying experience and savings
for you



Customer Services


E-mail Us
Your Questions:
E-mail us Now

Call Toll Free at:

1-888-309-0990

Join Our
Mailing List
E-mail us Now



Related Websites

Allinflatables
A name you can trust

All Boat Products
A wide variety

Custom Motorcycle Products
Lots of info and parts


Sea Eagle Sport Runabout Transom Boat 

Copyright - All Rights Reserved

www.allboatproducts.com www.allboatinfo.com www.allwatersportsproducts.com www.allinflatables.com www.allwakeboardproducts.com www.inflatableboats.ca www.cultuslakecottagerentals.com www.custommotorcycleproducts.com www.militaryboats.com