The Coating Industry

Abstract

When one or more synthetic layers are continuously applied in a liquid or paste form to a flexible sheet of material (substrate), a new material is created which combines the diverse characteristics of the joined materials (Werner, Encyclopedia of PVC, 1986). As such, physical characteristics like tear propagation resistance and tensile load are largely influenced by the substrate. However, surface characteristics including resistance to solvents, colour-fastness, air permeability, water permeability, non-combustibility and many others are essentially determined by the coating. Depending on the kind and quantity of the components, as well as their bonding and the applied coating process, the characteristics of the composite material being created can be planned to match the future intended use (Enka, Beschichtung allgemein, 1987).