Strength retention fabric

Abstract

A fabric includes a reinforcement material and a layer disposed adjacent to the reinforcement material including a fluoropolymer and an elastomer. The fabric can be an architectural fabric included in an architectural assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fabric comprising:
 a reinforcement material; and   a layer disposed adjacent to the reinforcement material and comprising a fluoropolymer, an elastomer, or a combination thereof,   wherein the fabric has a Strength Retention after Flex Fold of at least 80%.   
     
     
         2 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomer is a silicone elastomer, a fluoroelastomer, perfluoroelastomer, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the layer disposed adjacent to the reinforcement material includes a plurality of layers, at least one layer of the plurality of layers comprises a polymer blend comprising a fluoropolymer and an elastomer. 
     
     
         4 . The fabric of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of layers includes:
 a first layer disposed adjacent to the reinforcement material, the first layer comprising a fluoropolymer; and   a second layer disposed adjacent to the first layer, the second layer comprising a polymer blend comprising a fluoropolymer and an elastomer.   
     
     
         5 . The fabric of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of layers includes:
 a first layer disposed adjacent to the reinforcement material, the first layer comprising a fluoropolymer;   a second layer disposed adjacent to the first layer, the second layer comprising a polymer blend comprising a fluoropolymer and an elastomer; and   a third layer disposed adjacent to the second layer, the third layer comprising a fluoropolymer.   
     
     
         6 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the layer disposed adjacent to the reinforcement material includes a layer comprising a polymer blend comprising a fluoropolymer and an elastomer, and the elastomer is present in the layer in an amount of at least 5 wt %. 
     
     
         7 . The fabric of  claim 6 , wherein the polymer blend further comprises a glycerin. 
     
     
         8 . The fabric of  claim 7 , wherein the glycerin is present in the polymer blend in an amount of 0.25 wt % to 25 wt %, 0.25 wt % to 15 wt %, or 0.25 wt % to 5 wt %, based on the total weight of the polymer blend. 
     
     
         9 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fluoropolymer in at least one layer of the fabric includes a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a hexafluoropropylene (HFP), a fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), a perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PFA), or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement material includes a woven fabric having a weight of at least 100 grams per square meter (gsm). 
     
     
         11 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement material includes a woven fabric having a window size of at least 0.04 mm 2 . 
     
     
         12 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric has a Strength Retention after Flex Fold of at least 90%, based on the Warp Break Strength test according to ASTM 751/D4851 retained after undergoing a Flex Fold test. 
     
     
         13 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric has a Strength Retention after Flex Fold after weathering, measured according to ASTM D4329, of at least 40%. 
     
     
         14 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric has a Creep Resistance, measured according to ASTM D6992, of at least 100 hours. 
     
     
         15 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric has a Crease Fold Retention of at least 80%. 
     
     
         16 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric has a Coating Adhesion, as determined by ASTM D4851-88 modified by heating and pressing for as much as 2 minutes to form test samples and performing tests on samples 1 inch in width, of at least 5.5 lb/in. 
     
     
         17 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is substantially impermeable to liquid water. 
     
     
         18 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is an architectural fabric adapted to protect a defined area from environmental elements. 
     
     
         19 . A fabric comprising:
 a reinforcement material; and   a layer disposed adjacent to the reinforcement material,   wherein the fabric has a Class A fire rating and a Strength Retention after Flex Fold of at least 45%.   
     
     
         20 . A method of forming a fabric, the method comprising:
 providing a reinforcement material; and   coating the reinforcement material with a layer comprising a fluoropolymer,   an elastomer, or a combination thereof,   wherein the fabric has a Strength Retention after Flex Fold of at least 80% or a Class A fire rating and a Strength Retention after Flex Fold of at least 45%.