Diverse applications require authoritative performance and testing criteria
Manufacturers of chemical fabrics and film used in specialized applications such as contract upholstery, pool liners, and transportation interiors are represented by the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association (CFFA), which seeks to educate consumers on the uses and benefits of these products. Another vital part of its mission is encouraging the development and adoption of product standards and test methods.
It’s a necessity because these performance products need to stand up to some of the toughest conditions, including abrasion, stains, exposure to sunlight, and daily wear and tear, while still performing consistently. Because of their diverse array of applications – everything from upholstery for airplanes, cars, boats, and health care furnishings to vinyl pool liners and materials for footwear and garments, athletic equipment, and exterior films and laminates for awnings, decking, and signage – an equally diverse set of standards and test methods is needed.
CFFA sets these standards and test methods. The association maintains testing protocols and minimum performance standards for chemical coated fabrics and film, vinyl-coated and other chemical-coated upholstery fabrics, marine applications, vinyl pool liners, and more. It offers technical reports on mission-critical industry topics like mold and mildew prevention, thermal shrinking, surface tension, and proper care. Other resources are available on subjects such as PVC and phthalates, flame retardants, and antimicrobials.
Exclusively for healthcare applications, CFFA created CFFA HC-201 to help designers, specifiers, and facility managers select materials compatible with newer, more stringent cleaning protocols that were adopted in the wake of COVID-19. Recommended minimum performance standards require that a coated fabric pass 16 tests to earn certification. There is also a certification program in which manufacturers and distributors of certified coated fabrics can license and use a certification mark to aid in the selection of appropriate coated fabrics for the healthcare environment.
Chemical fabrics and film that meet these standards offer exceptional performance characteristics in finished products from upholstery to geomembranes and from pool liners to transportation interiors. It is CFFA that helps the industry achieve these results via guidelines and standards that move the industry forward.
For more information about CFFA, visit https://www.cffaperformanceproducts.org/.
About Chemical Fabrics and Film Association – Performance Products Division
The Chemical Fabrics and Film Association is an international trade association representing manufacturers of polymer-based fabric and film products used in building and construction, automotive, healthcare, pool liners, and many other industries and applications. Members of CFFA who belong to the Performance Products Division manufacture chemical fabrics and film used in numerous applications such as contract upholstery, swimming pool liners, and transportation interiors. Industries across the globe rely on these PVC/vinyl performance products for their durability, versatility, and lasting value. www.cffaperformanceproducts.org.