In daily life, whether it's covering up goods, building temporary warehouses, or protecting one's own vehicles,waterproof tarpaulinThey are all indispensable 'guardians'. But every time you go to buy tarpaulins, do the terms "500g", "0.5mm thick", "high-density" and so on that pop out of the merchant's mouth often confuse you?

Is there a standard for the thickness of waterproof tarpaulin? Is thicker better? Today, let's delve deeper into the standards and pathways of waterproof tarpaulins.

1、 Is there a standard for thickness? Indeed, there are, but don't just look at the numbers

Many people think that buying tarpaulins is like buying plastic film, just measuring the thickness with a caliper is enough. In fact, for industrial grade tarpaulins, there are clear technical specifications for thickness reference.

According to the national packaging industry standard BB/T 0037-2012 "Double sided coated polyvinyl chloride flame retardant waterproof cloth and tarpaulin" and the procurement bidding requirements of many large state-owned enterprises (such as tobacco systems), the quality judgment of tarpaulin is not only based on the dimension of "thickness".

In actual high standard procurement (such as the bidding projects of tobacco companies in 2023-2024), the technical parameters are usually specified as follows:

Thickness index: usually required between 0.55mm and 0.65mm.

Base fabric requirement: 100% polyester fiber, with a warp and weft density of not less than 60x30 (i.e. the number of yarns woven per inch).

Weight index: For PVC coated fabric, the industry usually measures it based on weight (in grams), such as 600 grams per square meter or even higher, to ensure thickness and durability.

Core conclusion: There are indeed thickness standards, but they do not exist in isolation. It must be viewed in conjunction with "fabric density" and "coating process". Pursuing only thickness and neglecting the density of the base fabric is like a steak with only fatty meat and no lean meat, which will rot.

2、 The 'unwritten rule' of thickness: 0.5mm is the watershed

Since there are standards, how can ordinary people judge with their naked eyes when making purchases? Here is a simple grading:

Low end/disposable tarpaulin (PE material):

This type of tarpaulin is very thin and feels like a plastic bag, usually with a thickness of around 0.1mm or even lower.

Features: Extremely low price, but poor sun protection ability. After using it outdoors for two to three months, it will become brittle and crushed when exposed to sunlight (this phenomenon is called photoaging). If you only need temporary shelter from rain for one or two days, this is enough. If you want to use it for a long time, don't buy it.

Mid end/conventional durable tarpaulin (silicone or PVC):

This is what we often refer to as' canvas' or 'oilcloth'. The thickness is usually between 0.3mm and 0.5mm.

Features: Flexible to the touch, good waterproof, and resistant to pulling and pulling. This thickness can already meet the short-term needs of most home decoration and cargo transportation.

High end/industrial grade tarpaulin (double-sided coated with PVC):

The thickness ranges from 0.55mm to 0.65mm or even thicker.

Characteristic: This type of cloth usually feels thick to the touch, like a rubber pad. It is not only waterproof, but also has the characteristics of flame retardancy, tear resistance, and low temperature resistance (-40 ℃ not brittle). This is the first choice for long-distance logistics, port terminals, and grain reserves.

3、 Avoiding pitfalls guide: In addition to thickness, these three points should also be considered

If a merchant says' My fabric is 0.8 millimeters thick ', you need to leave a question mark. A truly high-quality tarpaulin, in addition to meeting thickness standards, must also possess the following characteristics:

Check the stitches (process): The tent fabric is wrapped around the edges and sewn with three threads, with even needle spacing (such as 10-15 stitches per 10 centimeters), and wax thread is used to prevent water leakage from the seams.

Check the waterproof height: A good tarpaulin is double-sided waterproof, with a waterproof height of no less than 10cm water column pressure. When pouring water, the water droplets should roll like on a lotus leaf.

Judging by weight: For tarpaulins of the same size, heavier ones usually require more materials. For example, for PVC materials, 610 grams per square meter is a more durable standard.