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DULETAI MATERIAL GUIDES · UNDERSTAND THE SHEET
A fabric datasheet can look like a wall of numbers. What does 1000D actually describe? Why are thickness, weight, tensile strength and tear strength separate rows? And which details are options rather than features included in every roll?
Let’s read one sheet from top to bottom. We use the 15 rows on Duletai’s DuraTarps DLT-5210 product page as a real example, then explain the terms in plain English. The listed figures are the website’s example values; where the sheet leaves out a unit or test condition, we keep that distinction visible.
ANNOTATED TECHNICAL DATASHEET
Use this sheet as a reading template. The middle column reproduces the DLT-5210 example values; the right column explains how to read them. Select a numbered field for its detailed explanation below.
| Parameter | Example value | Reading note |
|---|---|---|
| 01Base fabric: | 1000D*1000D 30*30 | Polyester filament yarns. D is yarn linear density; confirm the counting unit for 30×30. |
| 02Thickness: | 0.58mm | Finished coated-material thickness; check the measurement pressure and tolerance. |
| 03Weight: | 750gsm | Mass per unit area. A higher gsm is not a strength rating. |
| 04Width: | 5.0m | Roll width; confirm usable width and edge allowances. |
| 05Roll length: | 50m | Length along the roll. Multiply width by length to calculate area. |
| 06Tensile Strength: | 3300N/5cm | Force in tension; check the test method and warp/weft results. |
| 07Tearing strength: | 430N/5cm | Resistance to tear growth; verify the test method and reported unit. |
| 08Peeling strength: | 100N/5cm | Layer adhesion; clarify which interface was tested. |
| 09Surface: | Glossy/Matte | Surface appearance; select the required finish. |
| 10Options: | Blackout,Arcylic/PVDF coating, Flame retardant, Anti-cold/mildew/UV | Specify the required treatments. Chapter 10 also explains mildew, antibacterial, low-wick and other functional options. |
| 11Colour: | Customized | Agree a colour reference and acceptable variation. |
| 12Temperature: | -20~+70(°C) | Clarify use or storage conditions and exposure duration. |
| 13FR certification: | Customized B1, B2, M1, M2, NFPA701, DIN75200; | Choose the required test and request the matching material report. |
| 14Packing: | Paper tube+PE film+Craft paper | Core and protective wrapping; confirm the package details. |
| 15MOQ: | 3000yards for customization/ 100yards for in-stock | Custom and stock order quantities; confirm current terms and the yard basis. |
Example values are from the linked DLT-5210 product sheet. Notes explain the entries and the details to check for a specified order; they do not add test results.
READ ONE FIELD AT A TIME
Choose a field to open its explanation. Scroll inside long chapters; click the chapter heading again to close it.
BASE FABRIC
What this row means
Base fabric is the woven reinforcement inside the coated material. Duletai uses polyester filament yarns for its base fabrics, including the DLT-5210 example discussed here. Think of the yarn network as a supporting skeleton and the PVC layers as part of the finished composite. The base-fabric description does not describe the finished material on its own.
Read the unit or notation
D means denier: a yarn linear-density unit. A 1000D yarn has a mass of 1000g per 9000m of yarn. It is neither a diameter nor a force rating. The two 1000D figures normally refer to yarns in the two fabric directions; confirm the supplier’s order of notation.
How it is measured or checked
Thread count is a separate measurement: how many yarns cross a stated counting length in each direction. Weave is another separate choice: the way those yarns cross over and under one another. Counting yarns, describing their linear density and measuring finished-fabric strength answer three different questions.
Why it matters in use
The reinforcement matters when a cover is tensioned, cut, folded or joined. Two materials described as 1000D can still behave differently because their fibres, yarn quality, weave, thread count, coating and processing differ.
Before comparing two sheets
The example sheet does not give the unit for 30*30, specify the weave, or state the direction order. Do not silently read it as 30 threads/inch or call this model Panama. Compare finished tensile and tear results under matching methods, as well as the base-fabric construction.
Plain: one over, one under
Basket: pairs work together
Warp and weft: which way is which?
Warp yarns usually follow the length of a woven roll, along its selvedges; weft, also called fill, crosses the width. Keep the supplier’s direction markings when cutting samples or panels. If a report has two strength values, identify the direction beside each value instead of treating them as interchangeable.
Why the counting unit changes the answer
For a hypothetical construction, 30 threads/inch is about 11.81 threads/cm. A different hypothetical count of 30 threads/10cm is 3 threads/cm. Both can appear as the number 30 if the denominator is missing. These examples explain the notation; neither establishes DLT-5210’s density unit.
Plain weave and basket weave
Plain weave alternates over one yarn and under the next. In a 2×2 basket weave, pairs work together, crossing over and under other pairs. Panama is commonly used for basket constructions, but the actual grouping must be specified. The diagrams show generic weave concepts, not a verified construction for this example model.
What 1000D does not tell you
Duletai’s yarns are polyester filament yarns. The 1000D value alone does not specify the number of filaments per yarn, yarn strength, thread count or the total gsm of the coated fabric. Ask for those construction details separately if they matter to the application.
Read more: CottonWorks: yarn numbering · CottonWorks: basic woven designs
THICKNESS
What this row means
Thickness is the distance between the two faces of the finished sheet. Millimetres are a length unit; this row is not a measure of mass or strength.
Read the unit or notation
0.58mm is the website’s listed thickness. The table does not state a tolerance or whether the number is a typical, minimum, nominal or other specified value.
How it is measured or checked
A thickness gauge measures the distance under a stated contact pressure. ISO 2286-3 describes a method for coated fabrics at a specified pressure. Soft or textured surfaces can give different impressions by touch, so a hand-feel comparison is not a measurement.
Why it matters in use
Thickness affects clearances, folded bulk and how a converter approaches cutting or joining. It does not by itself prove better cold performance, abrasion resistance or water resistance.
Before comparing two sheets
Match the measurement method, pressure, sampling positions and tolerance. Two equally thick constructions may contain different amounts of coating and reinforcement.
Read more: ISO 2286-3: thickness at specified pressure
WEIGHT
What this row means
Here, weight means mass per unit area. A 1m×1m piece at the listed 750gsm would have a nominal material mass of 750g, not including separate packaging or fittings.
Read the unit or notation
gsm means g/m²: grams per square metre. An alternative area-mass unit is oz/yd². Using the NIST conversion factor, 750gsm is approximately 22.12oz/yd²; that is a calculated equivalent, not an additional value from the original table.
How it is measured or checked
Area mass is determined from the mass of a known sample area under the specified procedure. ISO 2286-2 distinguishes total area mass from the area mass of the coating and the substrate.
Why it matters in use
Area mass helps estimate material handling and compare construction when the other details match. It cannot tell you how much is reinforcement and how much is coating unless that split is provided.
Before comparing two sheets
Check the unit, conditioning, sampling and tolerance. Added coating can increase gsm without a proportional increase in tensile or tear strength. Read the strength rows separately.
Read more: ISO 2286-2: mass per unit area · NIST: unit-conversion factors
WIDTH
What this row means
Width is the dimension across an unrolled sheet, from one side toward the other. It is different from the length along the roll.
Read the unit or notation
The website lists 5.0m. The table does not distinguish nominal width from usable finished width or give an edge allowance.
How it is measured or checked
Width is measured across the roll under an agreed roll-measurement procedure; ISO 2286-1 covers methods for roll length, width and net mass. State what edges are included when specifying usable width.
Why it matters in use
A wider roll may allow a larger panel with fewer joins, but the result depends on the actual cut layout, overlaps and edge finishing. Width alone does not establish a percentage saving.
Before comparing two sheets
Check usable width, width tolerance, selvedge treatment and cutting direction. Allow for seam overlap and any parts of the edge that cannot be used in the finished product.
Read more: ISO 2286-1: roll length, width and net mass
ROLL LENGTH
What this row means
Roll length runs in the unrolling direction. Together, length and usable width determine the available area before cutting and joining allowances.
Read the unit or notation
The listed length is 50m. Metres describe a length, while m² describes an area. They should not be substituted for each other in a quote or order.
How it is measured or checked
Measure roll length under the agreed procedure and record its tolerance. ISO 2286-1 addresses roll length, width and net mass; it is an example of a measurement framework, not evidence that this listed roll was tested to it.
Why it matters in use
Worked example: if width is exactly 5m and length exactly 50m, the rectangular area is 250m². If that whole area is also exactly 750gsm, the calculated material mass is 187.5kg. This arithmetic does not establish the shipped roll’s actual net or gross mass.
Before comparing two sheets
Use measured or agreed usable dimensions and area mass when needed. Account separately for core, wrapping, fittings, trimming and manufacturing tolerances.
Read more: ISO 2286-1: roll length, width and net mass
TENSILE STRENGTH
What this row means
Tensile testing asks how much pulling force an initially intact specimen resists as its ends are drawn apart. It answers a different question from the force needed to extend an existing tear.
Read the unit or notation
N is the newton, a unit of force. In an N/5cm expression, the width basis must be read with the actual test method. Do not read 3300N/5cm as a safe hanging load for a cover, attachment or tent.
How it is measured or checked
ISO 1421 describes a strip method for tensile strength and elongation at break, and a grab method for tensile strength. Specimen preparation and grip arrangement matter, so results from different methods are not automatically interchangeable.
Why it matters in use
The result helps discuss how the material behaves under pulling. A complete product also depends on shape, seams, reinforcement, fixing points and loads; the material number is not a structural design value.
Before comparing two sheets
The example gives one value without method, direction, conditioning or a typical/minimum designation. Ask for the method and separate warp/weft results before ranking another material against it.
Pull an intact specimen
Extend a tear
Separate layers
Read more: ISO 1421: tensile methods
TEARING STRENGTH
What this row means
Tearing concerns the force needed to start or continue a tear in a specified specimen. In a simple explanation, imagine a cut or damaged edge being pulled further open, rather than an intact strip being pulled straight apart.
Read the unit or notation
The original table says 430N/5cm. We retain that exact expression. The table does not explain its width basis or method, so we do not silently change it to 430N or assume it matches another tear result.
How it is measured or checked
ISO 4674-1 uses different specimen arrangements: method A is tongue tear and method B is trouser tear. Other tear methods use other geometries. Their results answer method-specific questions rather than providing a universal conversion.
Why it matters in use
This property matters when discussing damage near an edge, opening or attachment. It should be considered alongside reinforcement and product construction, not treated as a guarantee that a puncture can never spread.
Before comparing two sheets
Confirm the reported unit, test method, specimen direction and result basis. A higher tensile number does not automatically mean better tear performance.
Read more: ISO 4674-1: tear methods
PEELING STRENGTH
What this row means
Peeling describes the resistance to separating joined layers. The first question is which layers: coating from its substrate, a layer within a laminate, or two pieces joined in a welded seam?
Read the unit or notation
The table lists 100N/5cm, but does not identify the interface or method. A force stated on the same width basis can still describe different tests.
How it is measured or checked
ISO 2411 addresses coating adhesion strength of coated fabrics. A welded-seam peel test can address a different joint. Also record the failure mode: an interface separating, a coating tearing within itself, or the fabric breaking are different observations.
Why it matters in use
The distinction matters when investigating delamination, folding damage or a seam problem. Strong original material and a well-made joint are separate questions.
Before comparing two sheets
Confirm the layers being separated, method, width, direction, dry/wet or aged condition, and how the force result is summarised. Do not relabel the listed number as verified weld strength.
Read more: ISO 2411: coating adhesion
SURFACE
What this row means
Glossy and matte describe surface appearance. Glossy surfaces show more distinct specular reflections; matte surfaces give a less sharply reflected appearance under the same viewing conditions.
Read the unit or notation
These are descriptive options in this table, not a numerical gloss reading. The slash does not specify whether both faces are identical or which version a particular order includes.
How it is measured or checked
Compare finish using the same light, viewing angle and sample conditions. A measured gloss comparison would also need an agreed method and measurement geometry.
Why it matters in use
Finish influences the intended visual appearance and should be agreed alongside any printing or conversion requirements. It does not on its own establish strength, slip resistance or outdoor lifetime.
Before comparing two sheets
Confirm which face and finish are being offered and approve a representative sample. A glossy sample and a matte sample photographed under different lighting are not a controlled comparison.
OPTIONS
What this row means
An options row lists possible requirements to discuss. It does not mean every roll automatically includes every item, or that combining them leaves all other properties unchanged.
Mildew versus bacteria · Additional functional options
Read the unit or notation
These words are feature categories, not measured results. Each needs its own acceptance criterion. The source spells acrylic as Arcylic; the explanation uses the standard spelling without changing the copied source value.
How it is measured or checked
Define each option through a property, a test or comparison method where applicable, and the condition after which the result is required. No single test verifies every functional option.
Why it matters in use
Choose the options relevant to the actual project, then agree the finished construction and conversion requirements. Do not use one option name to infer another property, such as treating blackout as a thermal-insulation rating.
Before comparing two sheets
Check whether an item is standard or optional for the offered version, what combination is available, and which written requirement and supporting result apply to the supplied material.
Blackout
Reduced light transmission is the subject. Agree a transmission or opacity requirement and how it is measured; the word alone does not establish zero transmission, heat insulation or a particular internal layer.
Acrylic / PVDF coating
These name possible surface-treatment chemistries. They are not interchangeable names for the same finish. Confirm which treatment, which face, its intended purpose and compatibility with printing or welding; no thickness, recipe or service life is stated here.
Flame retardant
Specify the required standard, classification or pass result and the tested construction. The option is not a universal fireproof claim, nor evidence that every grade named elsewhere applies to every version.
Anti-cold
Ask about the required low-temperature behaviour and test, especially if the material will be folded or flexed while cold. A temperature number without the action and conditions leaves the practical question unanswered.
Anti-mildew / Anti-fungal
This concerns resistance to fungal growth on the material, particularly in humid service or damp storage. Agree the organisms, exposure conditions, growth assessment and required result. Clean handling and dry storage remain part of cover care.
Anti-UV
Ask which property is assessed after an agreed UV/weathering exposure: colour, appearance, cracking or retained strength, for example. Exposure conditions and the endpoint matter; no outdoor lifetime follows from the label alone.
Anti-mildew, antibacterial and antimicrobial
Anti-mildew and anti-fungal treatments address fungal growth. Antibacterial treatments address bacteria. Antimicrobial is a broader description: the claimed organisms and measured effect still need to be identified. These terms should not be treated as interchangeable test results.
For example, a humid tent fabric may need fungal-growth resistance, while a frequently cleaned coated textile may have a separate antibacterial requirement. Low-wick treatment addresses water movement through the reinforcement, so it is another specification item rather than a synonym for either treatment.
Additional functional options
PVC-coated fabric specifications can include more than the six labels in the example row. The options below explain other functions you may encounter. Availability and compatible combinations depend on the selected grade.
| Option | Purpose and typical use | What to specify |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial / antimicrobial | Aims to control specified microorganisms. Useful for coated textiles selected for hygiene-sensitive or frequently cleaned uses. | Identify the organisms, suitable method, contact time and result after the agreed cleaning or ageing treatment. |
| Low-wick / anti-wicking | Limits capillary water migration along exposed base-fabric yarns, especially at cut edges and fabrication details. | Request an agreed cut-edge wicking assessment and suitable edge sealing; a waterproof coating alone does not establish low-wick performance. |
| Antistatic / static-dissipative | Controls electrical behaviour where static build-up matters, such as selected industrial curtains, doors or ducting. | State the electrical property, target range, method and conditioning. Check the finished installation requirements for the intended use. |
| Easy-clean / soil- or stain-resistant finish | A selected topcoat can make dirt removal and routine maintenance easier on exposed covers or membranes. | Agree the staining or soil, cleaning products, number of cleaning cycles, and acceptable appearance; check welding and printing compatibility. |
| Chemical, oil or acid/alkali resistance | Specially selected grades address contact with named liquids or cleaners in a defined application. | Give the exact chemical, concentration, contact time and temperature. Assess the coating, seams and retained properties together. |
| Print-compatible surface | A finish selected for logos, graphics or printed covers must suit the ink and printing process. | Approve an actual print trial for ink adhesion, curing, rubbing and weathering performance; confirm the required coated face. |
| Hydrolysis-resistant grade | A specialist requirement for prolonged moisture or liquid exposure, including some containment materials. | Agree the exposure medium, temperature, duration and retained properties. Confirm compatibility with the complete material construction. |
Choose a test suited to the coated textile
ISO 20743 covers antibacterial textile products and offers different inoculation approaches. The laboratory should select a suitable approach for the intended use and surface. ISO 22196 explicitly excludes antibacterial-treated textile products, even when coated or laminated, and refers to ISO 20743; a PVC surface does not automatically make a textile a plastics test specimen.
For a fungal or antibacterial claim, ask which organisms were tested, what endpoint was measured and whether the result applies after the intended cleaning or ageing. A material-treatment result does not replace cleaning or establish a medical or infection-prevention claim.
COLOUR
What this row means
Customized means colour is a requirement to agree for the offered material. It is not a colour code, a stock list, or a promise of an exact match under every light.
Read the unit or notation
No colour reference, tolerance or colour-difference limit is stated. Use an agreed physical reference or a specified colour system rather than a screen image alone.
How it is measured or checked
Observe comparison samples under agreed lighting and viewing conditions. If instrumental colour measurement is required, agree the method and limits instead of inventing a numerical tolerance.
Why it matters in use
Colour approval helps manage the appearance of adjacent panels, replacement parts and repeat orders. Surface texture and gloss can change the perceived match.
Before comparing two sheets
Confirm the reference, approved finish, matching conditions and whether the order involves multiple production batches. Check current availability rather than assuming every custom colour is stocked.
TEMPERATURE
What this row means
This row gives a temperature range but does not define the activity or test to which it applies. Storage, stationary use and repeated folding are different conditions.
Read the unit or notation
°C means degrees Celsius. The source’s -20~+70(°C) is retained as listed. The table gives no duration, flexing procedure, load or acceptance criterion.
How it is measured or checked
A low-temperature bend or cracking test observes behaviour after a specified preparation and action. A stated operating range is not automatically the result of that test, and is not a welding-machine setting.
Why it matters in use
For a cover that will be rolled or packed in cold weather, ask specifically about cold flexing. For hot conditions, state the exposure, duration and contact conditions rather than relying on the range alone.
Before comparing two sheets
Confirm whether the numbers describe operating, storage or test conditions, and what change or failure is being assessed. Do not interpret +70°C as a general processing temperature.
FR CERTIFICATION
What this row means
The source uses the heading FR certification, but its value mixes grade labels and standard names, preceded by Customized. Read it as a list of fire-related requirements to clarify for an offered version.
Read the unit or notation
These are not units of force, mass or temperature. They cannot be arranged into a single universal league table, and a label without its standard and version can be ambiguous.
How it is measured or checked
Fire tests expose specified specimens under defined conditions and report the result required by that method or classification route. A grade label, a pass result and a standard number are different kinds of information.
Why it matters in use
Start with the requirement for the actual application and destination. For an explanation of the main standard families, use Duletai’s fire-standards guide rather than assuming that one label covers every installation.
Before comparing two sheets
This row does not prove that DLT-5210 has simultaneously passed every listed requirement. Confirm the full designation, applicable offered construction and supporting report. Do not use a generically named attachment as model-specific certification.
Read more: Duletai: PVC Tarpaulin Fire Standards
PACKING
What this row means
Packing describes how the roll is prepared for delivery. The paper tube is the core, and the film and paper describe wrapping materials. They are separate from the layers of the tarpaulin itself.
Read the unit or notation
This row is a material description, not a package dimension, packing weight or transport-protection rating. The original wording Craft paper is retained; confirm whether kraft paper is intended.
How it is measured or checked
Verify the agreed packing configuration and markings at dispatch. A material name alone does not define the strength, sealing or handling performance of the complete package.
Why it matters in use
Core dimensions, handling method and protection may matter for a converter’s equipment and transport arrangements. None is specified by the three packaging names alone.
Before comparing two sheets
Confirm core size, roll identification, packing arrangement and any pallet or handling requirements separately. Do not assume a pallet, waterproof transport guarantee or a particular gross weight.
MOQ
What this row means
MOQ means minimum order quantity. It is a commercial condition rather than a physical property. The source distinguishes customization from in-stock ordering.
Read the unit or notation
A yard is a length unit: 1yd=0.9144m. A square yard is an area unit. Confirm whether the table means linear yards, and which width, colour and version the quantity refers to.
How it is measured or checked
This row is checked against a current quotation and availability confirmation, not a laboratory test. If the unit is confirmed as linear yards, 100yd converts to 91.44m; that conversion is a unit example, not an updated sales offer.
Why it matters in use
Minimum quantities can affect sample planning, batch matching and production scheduling. The values on an example sheet should not be taken as proof of current stock or the current minimum for every requested variant.
Before comparing two sheets
Confirm the order unit, applicable configuration, present availability and current business terms with Duletai. Do not multiply the quantity into an area until the length basis and width are established.
Read more: NIST: unit-conversion factors
WHAT THIS SHEET DOES NOT LIST
A short sheet cannot answer every technical question. These are additional details to request if your project needs them; they are not extra measured values for DLT-5210.
- Filament count, detailed yarn specification and weave
- Density counting unit and notation order
- Tolerances and typical/minimum value basis
- Test methods, specimen directions and conditioning
- Coating weight split, elongation, abrasion and water-pressure results
- Welded-seam performance and detailed option-specific acceptance criteria
Do not fill these gaps using another model’s results. If the supplier adds them to an agreed specification later, keep their units, methods and conditions with the values.
FAQ
Does 1000D mean the finished tarpaulin weighs 1000gsm?
No. Denier describes yarn mass per length; gsm describes material mass per area. The finished material includes the reinforcement and coating layers.
Can I compare two 30×30 base fabrics directly?
First match the counting unit, fibre, yarn linear density and weave. The DLT-5210 example does not state the density unit or weave. Then compare finished-material test results under the same conditions.
Is a heavier or thicker fabric always stronger?
No. Area mass and thickness describe different aspects of construction. Read tensile, tear and relevant joint or adhesion results separately, with their test conditions.
Are all the options included in every roll?
An options list does not establish that. Confirm the selected construction and the written requirements for the offered material.
Why keep a missing unit or method visible?
Because adding an assumption changes what the original value means. Clarifying the missing information is more useful than comparing numbers on an invented basis.
REFERENCES
The standards linked here explain measurement scopes. They do not establish that the example product was tested to them. Public catalogue pages and educational references were checked on 15 October 2026.
- DLT-5210 source sheet
- CottonWorks: yarn numbering
- CottonWorks: basic woven designs
- ISO 2286-1: roll length, width and net mass
- ISO 2286-2: mass per unit area
- ISO 2286-3: thickness at specified pressure
- ISO 1421: tensile methods
- ISO 4674-1: tear methods
- ISO 2411: coating adhesion
- NIST: unit-conversion factors
- Duletai: PVC Tarpaulin Fire Standards
- ISO 20743: antibacterial activity of textile products
- ISO 22196: antibacterial testing scope and textile exclusion
- ISO 846: effects of microorganisms on plastics