Glossary E-H
E
Electro-Galvanized or Electro-Plated: This is similar to Hot Dip Galvanized except the application process is different and the final appearance is smoother and brighter. Instead of dipping the metal into a hot zinc solution, the metals are charged with positive ions and put into a negative ion solution on the metal in a more uniform manner.
Eradication: Eradication is usually used for illuminated or back-lit awning. It involves eliminating with special chemicals, an existing color from a white vinyl fabric that has been pre-coated at the factory with eradicable inks.
Expansion Anchors: Used to fasten awnings to concrete surfaces. They develop their essential strength by pressing hard against the side of the drilled hole in which they are set.
Extrusion Coated: When some coated vinyl fabrics are produced, the vinyl is applied in a semi-liquid (molten) state and calendared on by means of heavy cylinder. The vinyl is extruded in the form of a semi-liquid bar and pressed between large cylinders to spread it onto the fabric.
F
Fiber: The fundamental unit that makes up a textile raw material such as cotton or woven acrylic.
Fire Proofed: A fabric or substance which has been treated so that it is absolutely impervious to flame, and will not, under any circumstances, support a flame. Erroneously used in reference to fire retardant goods.
Fire Retardant Finish: A finish rendering a cloth which will repel flame, or which will prevent the spreading of flame, or which will not support a flame. Usually tested for length of time it takes for a flaming portion of the cloth to extinguish itself.
Four-Bar: This is the term commonly used to describe a stripe in awning fabric. This is the approximate number of colored four-inch stripes across the width of 31-inch fabric. Also known as a classic stripe.
G
Grab Tensile: This is a property of fabrics where a machine will try to pull the fabric apart in opposite direction in both the filling and warp directions. The resulting effort to do this is measured in pounds.
Guy Rope: A rope used for steadying or supporting something, such as a rope to stregthen an upright pole used to support a tent.
H
Hand Painting: A process whereby graphics are hand-painted directly on an awning.
Heat Color-Transfer: A graphic process that utilizes heat and a vacuum applicator to adhere color to the fabric. Any number of colors can be applied simultaneously, as pigments and resins are embedded into the fabric.
High-Strength Steel Tubing: This is cold-worked, thin-wall steel tubing that is available in round, square, and rectangular shapes. Popular sizes for the awning industry are under two inches. High-strength steel tubing normally is furnished with corrosion-inhibiting surface treatments. It is also easily bent to designer shapes, relatively lightweight and easily welded.
Hot Dip Galvanized: This refers to a finish that is the result of metal being dipped into a hot solution of zinc to add a protective, sacrifical coating to the metal. Awning iron and some malleable fittings have typically been hot dip galvanized.
Hydrostats: More formally, hydrostatic pressure. This is the pressure, measured in pounds per square inch, that it takes to pass water through a fabric.