U.S. Forest Service specifications

March 1, 2011  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We’re interested in supplying fire hoses to the U.S. Forest Service and have been told that USDA 5100-187 is the specification to meet. Where do we get a copy of it? We contacted the Forest Service and found that their San Dimos Technology and Development Center is the of…
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Bontex fiberboard products

March 1, 2011  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We’re making a luggage-type bag and our client is requesting that we use a fabric stiffener called Bontex. What is this and where can we get it? Bontex is the name of both the company and the product. Bontex makes a family of fiberboard products, one of which is also call…
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Xuron split ring pliers

March 1, 2011  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We are looking for Xuron split ring pliers for our tent supply kits. Any idea where to find it? We traced the Xuron split ring pliers to the Xuron Corp. They told us that the split ring pliers are mostly used in the jewelry industry to attach small rings. An example … <d…
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Defining freeze cloth

March 1, 2011  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case What is freeze cloth? Freeze cloth is defined more by a purpose than by a particular material. It’s a term used for fabric that’s put over vulnerable plants when a frost is expected. We’ve seen a range of materials used for this purpose, including knit shade c…
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CPAI-84 flammability specification

February 1, 2011  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case Does CPAI-84 apply to fabric screen houses? We make a product with mesh sidewalls and need to know if it falls under CPAI-84. CPAI-84 is a flammability specification, written by IFAI as a voluntary industry specification, at a time when our name was the Canvas Products Associat…
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More information about CPAI-84 flammability specification

February 1, 2011  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case I’m buying FR treated nylon ripstop fabric from a vendor and my customer is requiring the flame spread data. When I asked my supplier for it, he suggested that I contact you for the CPAI-84 certificate. Can you help me? There are two inherent issues in your question. The …
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Comparing 20 CFM to denier

February 1, 2011  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We’re making a filter bag for a local manufacturing plant and are told that the fabric needs to be 20 CFM. How does that compare to denier? It doesn’t, because they measure two different things. Denier is a weight-per-unit-length measurement and is used to describe …
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Leno weave

February 1, 2011  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case What is a leno weave? A leno is a special woven construction in which the warp yarns work in pairs and are crossed out of position before and after interlacing with the filling yarn. This means that the warp yarns effectively wrap around the filling yarn; almost making little f…
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Spec numbers for government bids

January 1, 2011  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case I’m working on a government bid, but can only find one of the three fabrics I’ve been given spec numbers for. I can get CCC-C-419 from my usual suppliers, but no one’s heard of DOD-STD-00100D (AR) or ANSI Y14.5M-1982. Are those for fabric treatments to be used…
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Chlorosulphanated polyethylene

January 1, 2011  |  Resources

Compiled by Juli Case We have a bid that is calling for a fabric that is “chlorosulphanated polyethylene.” What is that? You might know the term “chlorosulphanated polyethylene” better by the trade name—Hypalon. It’s a synthetic rubber compound and is used in some…
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