What Fabrics Are Used for Freshwater Transport Bags at Sea?

When it comes to freshwater storage at sea, the key question remains: how can we choose a safe, reliable, and durable bag material at the optimal cost?

Currently, globally, PVC-coated fabric is the mainstream and high-performance choice for large, flexible freshwater transport bags (or flexitanks for water). This composite material is specially designed and processed.

Why choose PVC-coated fabric?

In the demanding environment of freshwater transport at sea, materials must simultaneously withstand multiple challenges: constant saltwater corrosion, intense UV radiation, significant hydraulic shock and friction, and unpredictable climatic conditions. PVC-coated fabric offers exceptional water resistance and complete impermeability, which is paramount. The base fabric offers exceptional tensile, tear, and puncture resistance, allowing it to withstand the intense sloshing and impact forces of water during ship navigation. The high-quality PVC coating is enhanced with UV stabilizers to effectively prevent aging and embrittlement caused by prolonged sun exposure, extending its service life. Furthermore, its formulation, specifically designed for drinking water, ensures safe and contaminant-free water quality.

High-quality water bags utilize high-frequency welding or hot air welding techniques, resulting in seam strength exceeding 80% of the fabric's inherent strength. This significantly exceeds the strength of conventional stitching (which requires pinhole patching and gluing), completely eliminating the risk of leaks.

PVC-coated fabric is more than just plastic sheeting; it's a high-performance engineering material. Its base fabric strength, PVC formulation, additive technology, and manufacturing process are key to ensuring water resource security and ship safety.