A review on mechanical characterization of PVC coated fabrics

PVC coated fabric is a species of composite textile material that finds huge application as an architectural membrane. This waterproof material has great strength, tear resistance, durability while available in various colors too. Due to good mechanical behavior, these membrane structures are widely used in structures spanning a large space. Mechanical properties of PVC-coated fabrics are an important basis of design and construction. In this article, the mechanical properties of coated fabrics have been analyzed with respect to the various experimental and analytical investigations made so far with a focus to cover the practical behavior of these architectural membranes. It was noted that the mechanical characterization techniques, coating materials and fabric architecture plays a crucial role in determining the strength of such fabrics specific to various practical applications.