Truck Covering Tarpaulin

A truck covering tarpaulin is a high-strength, durable, waterproof canvas typically secured to the cargo box of trucks, trailers, and other transport vehicles using ropes, elastic cords, or mechanical structures. It is a core component in the "covering" process of logistics transportation.

Core Functions: Waterproof and rainproof, dustproof and sandproof, sunproof and UV-protective, protecting cargo privacy, and preventing cargo from scattering.

Basic Structure：It usually consists of one or more rectangular tarpaulin panels with reinforcing ribs and fasteners (such as metal eyelets, D-rings, ropes, etc.) along the edges.

Common Materials

The performance of a tarpaulin, such as its waterproofness, strength, and weight, is primarily determined by its base fabric and coating.

1.Polyethylene (PE) Tarpaulin

Structure and Characteristics: A PE film is coated on one or both sides of HDPE or PP woven fabric. Commonly known as "plastic-coated tarpaulin."

Advantages: Low cost, lightweight, good waterproofness, and various colors (blue is common).

Disadvantages: Durability is average; prone to brittleness and tearing at low temperatures; poor UV resistance; relatively short lifespan.

Main Applications: Short-term, disposable, or light-load covering, such as general freight transport, temporary storage, and construction site covering.

2.Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Tarpaulin

Structure and Characteristics: Double-sided coating of PVC paste resin and addition of plasticizers to a high-strength polyester filament base fabric.

Advantages: High strength, abrasion resistance, good flexibility (especially at low temperatures), fire retardant (additives can be added), strong resistance to UV aging, and long service life.

Disadvantages: High cost, heavy weight, may contain heavy metals (environmental considerations are needed), old fabric may have an odor.

Main Applications: Heavy-duty, long-term outdoor use, such as shipping containers, rail transport, long-term open-air storage, and large equipment.

3.Oil-Waxed Fabric

Structure and Characteristics: Made by impregnating pure cotton or polyester-cotton canvas with a mixture of oils and waxes. Traditional and classic.

Advantages: Extremely durable, waterproof, heavy texture, and retro aesthetic.

Disadvantages: Very heavy, expensive, easily soiled, hardens at low temperatures, requires regular maintenance (re-waxing).

Main Applications: Antique car coverings, high-end outdoor use, special scenarios (such as film and television shooting).

4.Silicone Canvas

Structure and Characteristics: Fiberglass cloth coated with silicone resin. High-tech product.

Advantages: Extremely resistant to high and low temperatures, waterproof, mildew-proof, lightweight.

Disadvantages: Extremely expensive.

Main Applications: Special industrial fields, aerospace, high-temperature equipment coverings.

Common Types and Structures:

Flat Canvas: A rectangular piece of canvas, the most common type, secured to the vehicle body with ropes and buttonholes.

Vehicle Body Canvas (Custom Cover): Tailor-made to the size and shape of specific vehicle types (such as containers, trucks), providing an excellent fit and ease of use.

Reinforced Canvas:

Stretcher Canvas: Parallel PVC strips are pressed or sewn onto the surface of the canvas, greatly enhancing its longitudinal tensile strength and preventing tearing by wind at high speeds.

Double-stitched seams: Double rows of stitching are used in key stress areas to increase seam strength.

Functional design:

Windproof net/rope: Ropes are built into the edges of the tarpaulin to tighten and resist wind resistance.

Transparent window: Some tarpaulins have transparent PVC windows for easy viewing of the cargo inside the vehicle.

Production process of truck tarpaulins

Taking the most common PE/PVC tarpaulin as an example, the production process is as follows:

1. Weaving: HDPE/PP flat yarns or polyester filaments are woven into a mesh-like base fabric using a loom. This is the foundation of the tarpaulin's strength.

2. Coating:

PE tarpaulin: Molten LDPE plastic is evenly coated onto one or both sides of the base fabric using a scraper or roller, and then cooled and set.

PVC tarpaulin: PVC paste (a mixture of resin, plasticizer, stabilizer, and colorant) is coated onto both sides of the base fabric using a scraper, and then placed in a foaming oven for gelation and plasticization.

3. Calendering and Cooling: The coated fabric is calendered to achieve a smooth surface and uniform thickness, then cooled.

4. Printing/Calming: Logos or patterns are printed on the tarpaulin surface as needed, or a calendering process is applied to smooth the surface.

5. Cutting and Sewing:

The large roll of tarpaulin is cut to the required dimensions.

The edges are hemmed using an industrial sewing machine to prevent the warp and weft threads from unraveling.

Reinforcing ribs are sewn in (especially for PVC tarpaulins).

6. Attaching Accessories: Buttonholes are punched into the edges and corners of the tarpaulin, and metal buckles or D-rings are installed. These are key stress points for securing ropes.

7. Inspection and Packaging: The finished product undergoes waterproofing and strength testing, then is folded and packaged.