HDPE Tensile Membrane Structures
HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) mesh is a heavy duty knitted shade cloth designed for tensile membrane shade structures and shade sails where fabric is placed under large pre-stress.
For architectural use, mesh fabrics typically are available as polyester weaves lightly coated with vinyl or as knitted fabrics using high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene or acrylic yarns.
Shade Structure Applications
Shade mesh is a broad term for any structural material that is woven with open spaces between its yarns. The open-weave makes the fabric porous us, so suitable for shade applications where rain protection is not required.
While both PVC and PTFE can be produced as a mesh, HDPE is a more economical fabric. Being inexpensive, they can been used for some low-cost membrane structure applications.
HDPE mesh is suited to large commercial projects where specifications require fabric exposed to environmental conditions including wind, rain, hail, dust and UV exposure.
Woven HDPE construction offers a high level of UVR (Ultraviolet Radiation) protection – both UVA & UVB.
UV Radiation Blocking
While generally every high, the colour of the HDPE shade mesh chosen can effect the UV Radiation blocking.
| Colour | %UVR |
|---|---|
| Deep Ochre | 94.90% |
| Brunswick Green | 92.40% |
| Black | 94.30% |
| Desert Sand | 92.90% |
| Natural | 92.10% |
| Red | 91.30% |
| Aquatic Blue | 91.10% |
| Navy | 90.70% |
| Charcoal | 90.40% |
| White | 90.30% |
| Emerald | 90.20% |
| Steel Grey | 90.10% |
Table is a guide only. %UVR Based on values of Gale Pacific Commercial Heavy 430.
Other HDPE brands/colours are available.
HDPE Construction: Weaving Monofilament Yarns
Monofilament yarns are produced by a process called melt spinning. Molten thermoplastic polymers (such as polyethylene) are extruded into long single filaments, and onto a device called a spinneret, which pulls the yarn, drawing it out as it cools. The drawing out process increased the filaments strength and the final length of the yarn.
Compared to naturally spun yarns (such as wool or cotton) or extruded polymer monofilament yarns are generally less flexible. Extruding thicker (High-Density) yarns from polyethylene woven can however be woven into an open weave mesh. The single filaments are much stronger, and when woven into Shade Mesh, make a viable architectural fabric.
Perfect For Large Commercial Projects
HDPE monofilament mesh is suited to large commercial projects where specifications require fabric exposed to environmental conditions including wind, rain, hail, dust and UV exposure.
Woven HDPE construction offers maximum Ultraviolet A & B protection.
MakMax mainly uses HDPE in our TenosCar and TensoNet vehicle protection ranges of products, but due to the range of colour options available, HDPE have also been used as shade protection and in custom fabric structures such as the Royal Randwick Loading Dock project.
Would You Like More Information about HDPE Shade Structures?
Contact us today to discuss your project requirements. We are the market leader in the design, engineering, fabrication and installation of custom fabric structures for a wide variety of applications and industries. We have extensive project experience and offer endless possibilities when it comes to custom design solutions to meet your needs.