"Sunscreen fabric" is a type of sun-shading textile produced by uniformly coating high-strength polyester or fiberglass fibers with modified PVC. This process creates modified PVC-coated filaments, which are then woven and subjected to subsequent finishing treatments. The application of a modified PVC coating to the individual fibers constitutes the primary distinguishing feature of the manufacturing process for this product category.
Since 2013, manufacturing processes in the market have generally fallen into two main categories: (1) PVC-coated fibers, and (2) fibers impregnated with PVC. Domestically, polyester-based fabrics typically utilize the coating method (e.g., PANGEAE Sunscreen Fabrics from the USA); internationally, however, fiberglass-based fabrics more frequently employ the impregnation method (e.g., CITEL Sunscreen Fabrics from Spain). Based on variations in materials and light-control mechanisms, these fabrics can be classified into several types: basic models, fiberglass models, dual-layer light-adjusting models, and jacquard-patterned models. Some enterprises (such as Zhejiang Xidamen New Materials Co., Ltd.) have established fully integrated production chains encompassing every stage from granulation, monofilament coating, and weaving to coating application, heat treatment, and final product assembly. Furthermore, specialized post-finishing techniques-such as foam-coating with white pigment-are employed to enhance functional properties (e.g., light-blocking and UV resistance) and to prevent "strike-through" (the seepage of coating material to the reverse side of the fabric).
