Glossary P - S
P
Painted Cloth: Cloths which have been finished by painting in solid colors or in assorted strips. The paint is generally applied to the surface of the cloth from fonts as the rolls of cloth pass under them. Used for awnings, outdoor furniture, and umbrellas.
Pigmenting: The process of applying color to fiber stock, yarn, or fabric.
Plain Weave: One of the three basic weaves. In plain weave, each filling yarn passes successively over and under each warp yarn with each row alternating.
Polyester: A synthetic fiber used for it's strength and resistance to ultraviolet deterioration. It does not have the stretch and elasticity of nylon and, as a result, will often last longer.
Polymer: A synthetic material from which fibers are formed. Usually composed of large molecules (monomers) with each other.
Ponding: This involves establishing a steep enough pitch, properly spaced bows or rafters, as well as maintaining a taut fabrics, so draining water or melting snow cannot cause the fabric to sage and collect water on the surface.
Pre-Stress: The effective long-term stress for which an awning is designed; the load in the awning that results when the fabric is pulled tight on the frame. This stress exists in the awning fabric and acts on the frame, even when the awning is not acted upon by the service loads.
Pressure-Sensitive Graphics: Pressure-sensitive vinyl film is cut by hand or by computer to a desired design and then adhered in the proper register on the fabric as decoration.
Pro Rata: Literally means "in proportion". In textiles, the term is uaually employed in relation to prices or weights of cloth.
PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride. A polymer used for vinyl fabric.
R
Radio Frequency (RF) Sealing: RF sealing fuses two or more vinyl substrates using pressure and radio waves to create a seam or fabric joint.
Retractable Awning: A cantilevered structure, entirely supported from a building, and constructed so that the awning cover and supporting frame retracts completely against the building. This relieves the awning from wind, rain and snow pressure and/loads normally associated with extended fixed frame awning or canopies.
Right Hand Twist: An "S" twist or a twist that would be unlaid in a counter-clockwise direction.
S
Scotchguard: A fluoride-based, stain-repellent, rain-repellent finish. Special formulations are made for leather.
Screen Printing: Graphic application method capable of printing great detail and color.
Screws: Fabric attachment that uses screws for fastening. The cover is stretched tightly over the frame and attached using self-tapping hexagonal screws.
Scrim: Open-constructed fabric used as a base material in coated and laminated fabrics.
Seismic Load: These are earthquakes or earth tremor loads.
Shear: Force that causes a body to shift away from the acting force where it is not supported.
Silk Screen: Graphics accurately transferred to the awning through the use of screens cut specifically for the application. Ink is spread evenly over the top of the screen and "printed" onto the face of the fabric.
Spray-Painting or Air Brushing: Hand painting made sophisticated as it can achieve color blending or shading plus sharper edges by spraying inks on fabric.
Stainless Steel: As the name implies, this is a special steel alloy that is made more stainless than regular steel, due to higher concentrations of chromium and nickel.
Staple on Extrusions: The fabric is stapled into "slot" built into specially designed framing. The slots are then covered with strips of vinyl trim.
Staples: A fabric attachment that uses staples to attach the fabric to a frame system instead of screws. The fabric is stretched over a frame, then stapled to the frame.
Steel Pipe: This material can be characterized as a relatively thick, round section of mild steel. It is easily welded, bolted and threaded, and is adaptable to many shop environments.
Steel Tubing: Steel tubing is similar to steel pipe, but available in a range of wall thickness and shapes, including round, square, and rectangular. It is easily welded or bolted, and can be obtained in higher strengths than steel pipe.
Strain: The measure of the change in size of shape of a body under stress, compared to its original size or shape. It is usually measured as the change (in inches) per inch of length.
Substrate: The surface to which an awning frame is attached. A substrate also is a base fabric.