TENT FABRICS

G Maheswaran, Asst.Prof, Dept. of Fashion Technology, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam.

Abstract
A tent is a shelter consisting of sheets of fabric or other material draped over or attached to a frame of poles or attached to a supporting rope. There are various types of tent structures used according to the usage. And also a variety of tent fabric were recommended according to the environment it is used. A range of tent fabrics with varying quality parameters were used to facilitate its performance. The selection of tent fabrics plays a major role in users comfort. The various physical and performance tests were to be conducted in selection of a tent fabric. The tests are like flame-ability, air-permeability, water repellency etc... Now days the new developed high performance tent fabrics were produced for the enhancement of comfort usages. Key words: Tents, Tent Fabrics, Properties, Selection, Tests, Next generation tent fabrics

Introduction
Tents may be free-standing or attached to the ground, large tents are usually anchored using guy ropes tied to stakes or tent pegs. Tents are used by recreational campers, and disaster victims. Tents are typically used as overhead shelter for festivals, weddings, backyard parties, and major corporate events. They are also used for excavation (construction) covers, industrial shelters. Armies, all over the world, have long used tents as a part of their working life. Tents are preferred by the military for their, relatively, quick setup and take down times, compared to more traditional shelters. The most common tent uses for the military are temporary barracks (sleeping quarters), DFAC buildings (dining facilities), Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), After Action Review (AAR), Tactical Operations Center (TOC), Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities, and

security checkpoints1. Tents are often used in humanitarian emergencies, such as war, earthquakes and fire. The primary choices of tents in humanitarian emergencies are canvas tents, because a cotton canvas tent allows functional breathability while serving the purpose of temporary shelter. At times, however, these temporary shelters become a permanent or semi-permanent home, especially for displaced people living in refugee camps or shanty towns who can't return to their former home and for whom no replacement homes are made available. Most global NGO's maintain an emergency stockpile of tents strategically placed all over the world to service their requirements. Due to its wide functional requirements the properties of tent fabrics vary according to the environment and purpose of usage. The general feature of a tent is shown in Fig.1.

Figure 1. General features of a tent

Tent Structures
In general, tents consist of poles which form a skeleton and over this skeleton; the Tent Fabric or skin is laid out to create an inner pocket. These are the basic Tent Structures:

Table.1. Different types of tent structures

Avian Tents One or two straight poles with the Tent cover spread out create a covered ground area. They are mostly used for quick shelter and generally light weather conditions. Pyramid Tents One central pole and the Tent cover pulled tight and spread out around the center pole form a pyramid shaped pocket. Pyramid Tents are rare in Hiking as the center pole effectively divides the Tent in multiple smaller compartments. Traditional A-Frame Tents Two-legged frames at the outer ends of the Tent with the Tent cover form a triangular pocket. Old backpacking tents were often A-frame Tents. The increased roominess of hoop tents and domes has replaced most A-frame tents. Modified A-Frame Tents Add a ridgepole and a center hoop to the traditional A-Frame to create a larger volume version of the traditional A-frame pocket. Modified A-Frame tents are also becoming rare in Hiking. Hoop Tents Use one to three hoops with the Tent cover to form a tubular pocket. The curved walls give a bigger volume with the same ground surface. Hoop Tents are surprisingly strong as they divide pressure over the full length of the hoops. Wedge Tents Two intersecting hoops with the Tent cover form a square to round pocket. These tents are very popular in Hiking as they combine great strength in

combination with the least use of material and weight. Dome Tents Three or more intersecting hoops with the Tent cover form a multi-faceted ground floor with a dome. The added hoops give this tent increased strength in comparison to Wedge Tents. However, they are mostly pretty difficult to erect. Most 4-Season tents are domes with four intersecting hoops.

Tent fabrics
Tent fabrics may be made of many materials including cotton (canvas), nylon, felt and polyester. Cotton absorbs water, so it can become very heavy when wet, however the associated swelling tends to block any minute holes so that wet cotton is more waterproof than dry cotton. Cotton tents were often treated with paraffin to enhance water resistance. Nylon and polyester are much lighter than cotton and do not absorb much water; with suitable coatings they can be very waterproof, but they tend to deteriorate over time due to a slow chemical breakdown caused by ultraviolet light. The most common treatments to make fabric waterproof are silicone impregnation or polyurethane coating. Since stitching makes tiny holes in a fabric seams are often sealed or taped to block these holes and maintain waterproofness, though in practice a carefully sewn seam can be waterproof. Rain resistance is measured as a hydrostatic head in millimeters (mm). This indicates the pressure of water needed to penetrate a fabric. Heavy or wind-driven rain has a higher pressure than light rain. Standing on a groundsheet increases the pressure on any water underneath. Fabric with a hydrostatic head rating of 1000 mm or less is best regarded as shower resistant, with 1500 mm being usually suitable for summer camping. Tents for year-round use generally have at least 2000 mm; expedition tents intended for extreme conditions are often rated at 3000 mm. Where quoted, groundsheets may be rated for 5000 mm or

more. Many tent manufacturers indicate capacity by such phrases as "3 berths" or "2 persons". These numbers indicate how many people the manufacturer thinks can use the tent, though these numbers do not always allow for any personal belongings, such as luggage, inflatable mattresses, camp beds, cots, etc., nor do they always allow for people who are of above average height. Checking the quoted sizes of sleeping areas reveals that several manufacturers consider that a width of 150 cm (5 feet) is enough for three people snug is the operative word. Experience indicates that camping may be more comfortable if the actual number of occupants is one or even two less than the manufacturer's suggestion, though different manufacturers have different standards for space requirement and there is no accepted standard. If the tent will be used where mosquitoes, gnats and other biting insects are expected, it should have all window, vent and door openings covered with fine-mesh "no-see-um" netting. Tents can be improvised using waterproof fabric, string, and sticks. This allows them to be easily built and moved.

Tent Fabric Types

There are six main types of fabrics that many manufacturers use for making the tents. Each material has its own set of characteristics and knowing these characteristics can impact the type of camping. Nylon Nylon is the most popular tent fabric and there is good reason for this. Nylon is strong, rot-free, durable yet lightweight and is also easily waterproofed. The breathable fabric allows water vapor to pass through while keeping you dry. Nylon can also be dyed easily and maintains its color longer than other fabrics. It is important to note that mildew can eat away at the waterproof coating which will cause your tent to be useless. An uncoated nylon absorbs less water; it is water resistant and to make the nylon material waterproof, it is coated with polyurethane. Rip-Stone Nylon

The difference between rip stone nylon and regular nylon is the fact that about every twelve or so stitches there is a heavier fabric that is woven in. The purpose of this stitching is to prevent the spread of a tear. So if you are one that likes to set up camp out in the middle of the woods instead of an open clearing, you might want to consider rip stone nylon over regular nylon. Polyester A material that is almost identical to nylon is polyester. The main difference between polyester and nylon is that it resists UV damage better. Ultraviolet damage weakens the strength of the material your tent is made of, this happens to all materials. Hence it is often recommend that construct the tents in shaded area instead of in an area of direct sunlight. This is a type of modified polyester fabric has the strongest UV light inhibitor, which means it has the greatest resistance to UV degeneration. UV-Tex 5 also has a higher standard of resistance then other polyester fabrics but it is identical in all other aspects to polyester. Cotton Canvas Before nylon was invented, cotton canvas was the material of choice by many tent makers. Cotton canvas is an all weather material that is very durable. Originally these tents were coated with an oily or waxing coating to prevent water absorption. This coating still allowed the tent to breathe. They rely on the rains surface tension between the fabric fibers to prevent leaks. Polyethylene Though an entire tent is rarely made out of polyethylene you want to make sure the floor of your tent is. Polyethylene is waterproof; water will not pass through this material unless there is a hole. It is durable but it is also bulky and rather heavy. It is also problematic to get this material back into its original form once it has been open6.

Types of fabric used in tents (4-Season only)

Table.2. Types of fabrics used in tents9

Manufacturer Mountain Hardwear

Inner wall NA

Fly 70D Nylon Taffeta 1500mm PU / SIL 75D, 185T

Floor 70D Nylon Taffeta 3000mm PE 70D, 210T Nylon taffeta coated with 5000mm PU

The North Face

40D, 240 Nylon Ripstop

Polyester Ripstop coated with 1500mm PU 75D Stromshield Polyester Ripstop, 1800mm 70D coated Nylon taffeta

70D Nylon Eureka tafeeta, uncoated Seirra Design Black Diamond NA

70D Nylon taffeta, 3000mm 70D coated Nylon taffeta 70 D Nylon taffeta 70D 100% Nylon 5000mm W/R, F/R 70 X 190T Taffeta Nylon 6 10000mm PU coated Treated with waterproofing

ToddTex single-wall fabric 40D 100% Nylon

Marmot

40d 100% Nylon Ripstop, F / R

Ripstop Silicone / PU 1800mm W/R, F/R 40D X 238 T Ripstop Nylon 6

MSR

NA

1500mm Polyurethane & Silicone coated

Hilleberg

Breathable

Kerlon 1800

Where

ToddTex:

waterproof,

breathable

three-layer

PTFE

(Teflon)

laminate. Totally waterproof, windproof, and extremely breathable.

Kerlon: Waterproof and UV resistant fabric is similar in appearance to most other silicon-treated, ripstop nylon fabrics. Siliconelastomere coating on both sides of the fabric. Elastomere is rubber and Silicone rubber as Siliconelastomere.

Ripstop: When you buy a fabric, the salesman makes one cut and tears the piece with his bare hands but in Ripstop fabric its not possible. Classic example is muslin from Dhaka. Ripstop fabric is a woven, lightweight, nylon-threaded material that resists tearing and ripping. Ripstop fabric is made by weaving nylon threads throughout a base material in interlocking patterns. Many fabrics can be used to make ripstop fabric, including cotton, silk, polyester, or polypropylene, with nylon content limited to the crosshatched threads that make the material tear-resistant. Nylon material itself is not ripstop fabric unless it is reinforced with crosshatched threading.

Taffeta: Taffeta is a fabric weaving technique for e.g. Chiffon sarees. Historically made from silk, but today can be made from many different fibers, including artificial fibers like nylon. The term taffeta comes from the Persian words for twisted and woven.

T: T stands for Thread Count specifically the number of warp and weft threads in a square inch. The lower numbers represent a loosely woven fabric and the higher number a tightly woven fabric. These two numbers together help indicate the strength and feel of a piece of fabric. Higher the number smaller is the gaps between the threads9.

Selection of Tent Fabrics

The actual Tent cloth or canvas has to protect the people from the wind and the rain while remaining breathable. Selections of the tents are based on (1) Type of protection needed (2) Performance features.

Single Wall Constructions: only have single layer of Tent cover. This single cover has to take care of all the needed functionalities: water and wind resistance, durability, breathability, etc. Tents are manufactured in fabrics that deal adequately with water vapour. Modern single skin tents are much more breathable than the older generation. The modern construction allows moisture to escape, but no moisture comes in. They are especially popular when it is important to cut down on weight (e.g. when hiking) as it is much lighter to carry only one layer of fabric. Single skin tents really come into their own in high altitude mountaineering situations where a simple design has massive advantages. Double Wall Constructions: have an outer fly sheet and an inner Tent. The fly sheet is waterproof and the inner Tent is breathable and transports moisture to the outer fly sheet. It comprises the inner tent the portion you live in plus the fly sheet, which creates a barrier against the weather. This is a traditional method of manufacturing tents: the outer prevents moisture from entering, while the inner provides a breathable space for condensation to travel through it and run off on the inside of the outer without coming in contact with the occupants. This still offers an excellent combination of breathability, compactness and affordability for most end users

Tent Fabrics can have the following characteristics:

Denier (d): It measures the weight of fabric in grams per 1000-meter length. So for instance, 60d signifies a weight of 60 grams per 1000 meter of the thread used in the fabric. Lightweight fabrics would be about 50d.

Water resistance (psi): It measures the weight of water that can exert pressure on a square inch of the fabric without leaking. It is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). A good fly sheet would be 80psi. Color: The fabric color will determine what light conditions are inside the Tent and how well your Tent stands out against the surroundings.

Some common Features of tent covers:

Polyurethane Coating: This is coating applied on the tent fabric to make it more durable and waterproof. Multiple number of coatings or 'passes' determine the added protection but at the cost of extra weight.

Waterproof/breathable laminates: Tent cover uses a layering system of different materials to form a strong and waterproof but breathable fabric. Common laminates are GoreTex, ToddText, Klimate, and MemBrain. Ripstop: This is a polyester taffeta with thicker threads weaved into the material at regular intervals. Thicker threads will prevent small rips in the Tent to get worse. Clear Film: This is a see through material often used for windows and skylights. Single-needle Stitching Seams: These are seams with a single line of stitches. Double-needle Stitching Seams: These are seams with a double line of stitches, stronger than single stitching. Shed Seam: This forms a gully capable of transporting Tent down the Tent11.

Tests for Tent cloths

Various tests should be carried out for the tent cloths according to their specifications. Normally the fabric strength (tearing strength and tensile

strength), Fabric weight with and without coatings or finishes, breathability, water repellency and flame proof tests were carried out to assess its performance. For example the 3916 tent fabric made by Seaman Corporation is shown below.
Table.3. Tests for tent fabric8

TESTS Finished coated Weight Grab Tensile Strip Tensile Tongue Tear Trapezoid Tear Adhesion Low Temperature Flame Resistance Hydrostatic Resistance

STANDRAD METHODS ASTM D751 ASTM D751 ASTM D751 Procedure B ASTM D751 ASTM D4533 ASTM D751 Dielectric Weld ASTM D2136 NEPA 701(small) CPAI 84 ASTM D751 Procedure A MIL-T52983E(modified) Para 4.5.2.19

Dead Load

Technical Data Tencate Cotton The TenCate Cotton line of tent fabrics offers tent manufacturers a choice of high-grade materials for every application. With in the Cotton range, the KD-22 is specifically suited for walling applications, the KD-24 and the KD48 for walling and roofing applications.

Table.4.Technical Data of cotton tent fabrics9

Reference Material Finish

Test method -

KD-22 100% cotton Waterand dirtrepelle nt 175cm 210g/m2

KD-38 100% cotton Water- and t

KD-48 100% cotton Waterdirtrepelle

KD-24 100% cotton Waterand dirtrepelle nt 160cm 340g/m2

dirtrepellen and nt 160am/205 160cm cm 280g/m2 310g/m2

Width Weight (+/5%) Tensile strength Warp (5cm) Weft (5cm) Tearing strength Warp (5cm) Weft (5cm) Water column Colourweather fastness

ISO 22198 ISO 3801 ISO 139341 -

60 daN

70 daN 80 daN 1,5daN 1,5daN 30cm 4

130 daN 130 daN 3,0 daN 2,5 daN 40cm 4

80 daN 80 daN 2,0 daN 1,5 daN 40cm 4

60 daN ISO 139371 1,2 daN ISO 811 ISO 105 BO4 1,0 daN 25cm 4

Please note that if you combine materials, such as ground sheet, mud skirts, windows, zips, etc., then you run the risk that these products may have an adverse effect on each other. This is your own responsibility and we therefore advise you to carry out extensive tests before hand, if possible.

Next Generation Tents

New functionalities for tent cloth that are expected in the near feature include the following value addition for enhancing the comfort levels and performances of tents9.

Self-cleaning

Insulating Anti-mosquito High visibility Glow in the dark

Table. 5. Next Generation Tent Fabrics9

Self-cleaning By applying the special, self-cleaning finish the tent cloth will remain as good as new. Dirt will not stick to the coated fabric, and any dirt particles will be washed off the cloth during a local shower. Insulating 3D-woven types of cloth will create an insulating layer of air between the fabric on the inside and the outside of the tent. As a result, it will stay refreshingly cool in summer and pleasantly warm in spring and autumn. Anti-mosquito A special finish that to people smells of lemon will keep mosquitoes away from the tent cloth. This anti-mosquuito finish is harmless to humans. Tents with this quality will be extremely functional, particularly in the tropics and in humid regions or war zones. High visibility This quality, which makes the tent easily detectable, will provide tent-users with high visibility in any circumstances, especially in dangerous situations. The tent will be highly visible both during the day and with directed lighting at night. The retro-reflection will depend on the visibility value of the fabrics finish. Glow in the dark This special glow-in-the-dark finish will provide visibility at night thanks to the sunlight it has absorbed during the day. This visibility will depend on the glow value of the fabric. Tents with this quality will be highly visible to the emergency services (Red Cross, First Aiders) or army at any time of the day or night. Childrens tents can be fitted with this functionality on the inside, which at night will work like a nightlight.

Conclusion:
The future of the camping world will be determined by new design and innovative functionalities. As far as the design is concerned, the producers of tents and tent extensions will be making increasing use of young designers. Through constant innovation the camping industry will time and again come up with new products and solutions.

References
1. About the US Army Soldier Systems Center 2. "SSC Developing Multiple Uses for Air Beam Shelter". Defense Industry Daily. 2005-05-10. Retrieved 2007-12-25. 3. "Shelter from the CB storm". Military Medical Technology. 2004-04-08. Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2007-12-25. 4. "Air Support: Inflatable Structures Pump Up the Military". Military.com. 2005-01-01. Retrieved 2007-12-25. 5. http://www.intentproductions.com 6. http://www.campersinfosource.com 7. Sports Trader Product Knowledge 2010 October/November 8. Tent Fabric Specifications Seamans Corporation, October, 2006 9. http://www.tencate.com 10. http://www.kumaontreks.com/tent-fabrics 11. http://www.abc-of-hiking.com/hiking-tents/tentmaterials.asp