What is PVDF treatment?

Those weather-resistant, vibrantly colored stadium roofs, durable truck tarpaulins, and beautifully designed membrane structures all rely on a key surface treatment technology: PVDF treatment. So, what exactly is PVDF treatment, and how is it produced?

First, PVDF, scientifically known as polyvinylidene fluoride, is a specialized polymer material with exceptional weather resistance, chemical stability, and UV resistance.

PVDF treatment refers to the precise application of PVDF to a PVC-coated fabric base fabric. PVDF treatment is typically not a direct replacement for PVC, but rather serves as an outermost coating or surface treatment.

The PVC base layer forms the bulk of the fabric, providing essential waterproofing, tensile strength, and flexibility. The PVDF top layer, overlying the PVC coating, forms a robust protective film specifically designed to withstand various external "aggressions." It addresses the challenges common with ordinary PVC coatings during long-term outdoor use: chalking, discoloration, staining, and loss of gloss.

PVDF Processing Process

Step 1: Base Fabric Preparation and Primer

First, the base fabric surface must be cleaned and treated to ensure it is free of oil and dust to ensure good adhesion of subsequent coatings. Next, a specialized primer is applied. This primer acts like a "strong double-sided tape," strengthening the bond between the PVDF topcoat and the PVC basecoat, preventing blistering or peeling.

Step 2: PVDF Topcoat Application

This is the key step in the entire processing process. A carefully formulated PVDF topcoat is evenly applied to the primed fabric. PVDF topcoat is not 100% PVDF resin. Instead, it is typically a mixture of approximately 70% PVDF resin, 30% acrylic resin, and other additives such as light stabilizers and pigments. This classic "70/30" ratio is recognized as the industry's gold standard, ensuring PVDF's ultimate weather resistance while balancing excellent colorability and ease of application. The coating process is accomplished using precision scraper or roller coating equipment to ensure optimal coating thickness and uniformity.

Step 3: High-Temperature Curing

After coating, the fabric enters a long oven for high-temperature curing. This critical process, typically controlled at temperatures above 200°C, melts and flows under high temperatures, cross-linking with the acrylic resin to form a dense, continuous, and durable ceramic-like protective film. This "baking" process, like firing ceramic, stabilizes the molecular structure of the PVDF coating, resulting in its exceptional performance.

After these three steps, an ordinary PVC-coated fabric is successfully transformed into a high-end PVDF-treated fabric with exceptional protection.

Conclusion

PVDF treatment significantly expands the application and service life of outdoor fabrics by giving ordinary PVC-coated fabrics a high-performance "coat." Whether it is a magnificent sports stadium, a tarpaulin for logistics and transportation, or a fashionable outdoor tensile membrane structure, PVDF-treated fabrics are preferred.