Waterproof fabric. A specification built around your seams.
DERFLEX supplies waterproof TPU nylon fabric for welded bags, inflatable chambers and flexible OEM components. A nylon reinforcement carries the load; the TPU surface provides the barrier and a sealable face in compatible constructions. Specify the coating side, polymer chemistry, coated weight, usable width and finish around your product geometry and processing equipment.
Send a drawing or reference sample to discuss custom roll supply and a material trial before bulk ordering.
TPU coated nylon is a reinforced textile made by applying thermoplastic polyurethane to a nylon base fabric. The textile supplies mechanical support, while the polymer layer controls barrier performance, surface feel and sealing behavior.
It is used by outdoor brands, bag factories and inflatable-product converters that need more than a water-repellent textile. The material must also survive cutting, joining, folding and its intended service conditions.
Explore the wider DERFLEX TPU coated fabric range when comparing nylon with other base textiles.
Conceptual layer schematic; not a scale drawing. The reverse layer depends on the selected construction.
A bonded film is another manufacturing route. Compare TPU laminated fabric structures by adhesion and processing results, rather than by the coating label alone.
“420D TPU nylon” leaves important variables open. Confirm the finished composite, including the coating on each face, usable cutting width and the tests that determine acceptance.
| Item | DERFLEX enquiry direction | What the buyer should confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Base textile | Nylon woven fabric; plain or ripstop structures can be discussed. | Fiber/yarn specification, weave and cut direction. |
| Nylon denier | Discuss 210D, 420D, 840D, 1000D or an application-specific construction. | Availability and test results for the exact construction. Denier alone is not a strength rating. |
| TPU chemistry | Polyether or polyester TPU, subject to grade selection. | Humidity, water exposure, cleaning media and aging requirements. |
| Coating sides | Single-sided or double-sided. | Which faces meet at every seam, baffle, patch and fitting. |
| Coated weight / GSM | Custom target, confirmed with DERFLEX. | Total composite mass per area; coating distribution if relevant. |
| Thickness | Confirm total thickness and relevant layer build. | Measurement method and tolerance; do not substitute it for GSM. |
| Width & length | Roll format available according to project requirements. | Usable width after edge trim, roll length and agreed tolerance. |
| Color & finish | Custom color; matte, glossy or other surface directions. | Approved color reference, hand feel, surface and weld appearance. |
| Joining process | Compatible grades for RF/HF, hot-air or contact heat sealing. | Trial results with your machine, tooling and actual seam stack. |
| Performance | Water barrier, air retention, tensile/tear, adhesion, abrasion and flex requirements. | Method, conditions, units and acceptance limit for each test. |
| Service conditions | Wet use, sunlight, temperature and chemical contact reviewed by project. | Relevant exposure and retained performance after conditioning. |
| Packing & commercial terms | OEM roll labels and packaging can be discussed. | Winding direction, core, protection, MOQ, sample and lead time. |
Listed deniers are enquiry starting points, not a promise that every denier, coating build and width combination is stocked. Final specifications and tolerances require written confirmation.
A useful direction when compatible coated faces can meet at the seams, and the textile reverse is acceptable in the product. It may reduce coating mass compared with an otherwise similar two-sided build.
Two coated faces can simplify baffles, reinforcement patches and assemblies where different sides must be sealed. Additional coating also changes total weight, hand feel and processing conditions.
Polyether TPU is generally a useful starting point for prolonged moisture exposure because of hydrolysis resistance. Evaluate polyester TPU against the specific mechanical and media-contact priorities of the product.
Read the TPU coating material guide to compare the coating requirements in more detail.
Start with the finished product. The following directions help prepare a sample request; they do not establish a pressure rating or an approved end-use specification.
| Product / use condition | Construction to evaluate | Why it matters | Sample approval priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roll-top dry bags & waterproof packs | Single- or double-sided nylon composite with a foldable coating build. | The closure and seam layout control which surfaces need to seal. | Closure-fold durability, seam leakage, hand feel and abrasion at contact points. |
| Packraft tubes & inflatable chambers | Nylon/TPU structure matched to the assembly; evaluate double-sided material for baffles or patches. | Joints, valves and reinforcements form a complete air-holding system. | Air retention, seam failure mode, adhesion and repeated inflation/folding. |
| Inflatable cushions & flexible air cells | Soft composite with the required sealing faces and surface finish. | Flex cycles and cleaning can be more important than a heavy fabric label. | Flex-conditioned leakage, joining consistency and cleaner compatibility. |
| Protective bags, sleeves & OEM components | Nylon strength, coating build and finish matched to contact and handling. | Edges, rubbing and attachment loads may dominate service wear. | Abrasion, tear, local reinforcement and shape changes after conditioning. |
For bag-specific material comparisons, see the DERFLEX dry bag material guide.
Photos show DERFLEX material references. Gallery images do not identify a verified nylon denier, coating chemistry or performance result; approve those details on the supplied sample.
Suitable TPU nylon constructions can support RF/HF welding, hot-air welding or contact heat sealing. Processing success depends on the complete material and seam stack. A sample that seals in one simple overlap may behave differently around a valve or a multi-layer corner.
Label face A and face B on the drawing. Check laps, baffles and patches for coated-to-coated contact. An uncoated nylon face should not be assumed to form the same thermoplastic seal.
Trial a range of relevant settings around the proposed process. Record machine, tool, pressure, time and energy or temperature settings as applicable. Include the thickest joint.
Evaluate seam strength and leakage after the conditioning relevant to use. Inspect coating lift, exposed yarn, distortion and peel starting at seam ends.
| Trial item | Record or inspect | Decision it supports |
|---|---|---|
| Representative joint | Face orientation, overlap, layers, patch or fitting materials. | Compatibility of the actual seam geometry. |
| Equipment settings | Machine and tool identification; relevant settings and cooling conditions. | A repeatable production process rather than a single successful seal. |
| Seam strength | Test method, direction, specimen width and failure mode. | Whether the joint separates, the coating peels or the textile breaks. |
| Leak or air-retention test | Pressure, duration, temperature and fitting/closure arrangement. | Performance of the sealed assembly under defined conditions. |
| Conditioned performance | Relevant folding, wet aging, cleaning or temperature exposure. | Whether initial seal quality is retained after expected handling. |
No universal TPU welding temperature is specified here. Use a supplier-supported starting point and validate the operating window on the selected grade. Sewing punctures a barrier layer; any sewn waterproof assembly needs a compatible sealing solution and a finished-product leak check.
Ask for measurable results tied to the exact sample and test conditions. A useful inspection plan connects material properties to the way the product can fail.
| Check | Specify in the test request | What it answers |
|---|---|---|
| Water penetration | Method, test face, pressure progression and endpoint; repeat after relevant conditioning. | Does the barrier resist water under the agreed test? |
| Air retention | Assembly volume/geometry, pressure, hold time and stabilized temperature. | Does the air-holding system retain pressure as specified? |
| Tensile & tear | Separate warp and weft results, method, specimen and conditioning. | How does the composite resist pulling and an existing tear? |
| Coating adhesion | Face, peel arrangement, specimen width and wet/aged condition if relevant. | Does the coating remain attached to the nylon reinforcement? |
| Abrasion & repeated flex | Contact material, load/cycles, fold condition and retained barrier or strength. | Does expected handling damage the working surface or seal? |
| Exposure compatibility | Cleaning or contact medium, concentration, temperature and duration. | Does the proposed grade retain relevant properties after exposure? |
| Roll consistency | Sampling positions, usable width, coated weight, thickness, surface and shade. | Will delivered rolls remain within the agreed purchase specification? |
This is a buyer test plan, not a claim that every grade has already passed every listed test. Test standards, limits, documentation and any application-specific approvals should be agreed for the order.
The waterproof TPU coated fabric guide explains the relationship between the material barrier and finished-product sealing.
| Material direction | What to evaluate | Decision question |
|---|---|---|
| TPU coated nylon | Nylon reinforcement with a thermoplastic barrier; validate the sealable grade and fabric response. | Does it meet the required combination of weight, flexibility, tear strength and joint performance? |
| Conventional PU coated nylon | Check the actual polyurethane system. Conventional coatings should not be assumed to share TPU heat-sealing behavior. | Is the product sewn and seam sealed, or does it need direct thermoplastic welding? |
| TPU coated polyester | Different reinforcement under the same broad coating family; compare conditioned dimensions and mechanical results. | Which base textile better fits panel stability, handling and the validated seam? |
Use the broader TPU fabric application guide to review other product structures before committing to nylon.
DERFLEX offers custom coated-textile roll supply and specification support. Discuss the nylon construction, TPU chemistry, coating sides, color, finish and roll format together so that sample approval and bulk quotation refer to the same material.
Material definitions, coating choices and the checks that help an OEM buyer specify TPU nylon.
TPU coated nylon fabric combines a nylon textile with a thermoplastic polyurethane coating or bonded film. Nylon reinforces the composite; TPU provides a continuous barrier and, in suitable grades, a surface that can be heat sealed. The selected construction determines weight, flexibility, welding behavior and durability.
It can be specified for either requirement, but the two need separate checks. Waterproofing depends on the barrier and resistance to water penetration. Airtight products also need air-retention testing at an agreed pressure, duration and temperature, including seams, valves and other fittings. A waterproof fabric label does not establish a finished product pressure rating.
Choose single-sided material when the seam layout can join compatible coated faces and the uncoated textile face is acceptable. Consider double-sided material when baffles, patches, valve flanges or seam layouts require a sealing surface on both faces. Check the actual assembly drawing and sample welds before ordering.
Polyether TPU is generally a useful starting point for prolonged moisture exposure because of its hydrolysis resistance. Polyester TPU may suit other mechanical or media-contact priorities, depending on the grade. Both are coating chemistries: polyester TPU can be applied to nylon, and does not mean the base fabric is polyester.
Suitable constructions can be joined by RF/HF welding, hot-air welding or contact heat sealing. Ultrasonic processing is also grade and equipment dependent. Confirm coated-face contact, seam geometry and the operating window on your own equipment; there is no universal welding temperature for all TPU nylon fabrics.
No. Denier describes yarn linear density, rather than the finished fabric strength. Yarn quality, weave density, coating, conditioning, cut direction and the test method also matter. Compare tensile and tear results in both warp and weft, alongside coated weight and seam performance.
Breathability is a separate property and should not be assumed from the TPU name. Air-holding or liquid-containment constructions are specified for barrier performance. If moisture-vapor transmission is required, request a construction and test result for that purpose.
Send the application, base fabric or reference sample, coating side, target coated weight or thickness, usable width, color, quantity, destination and required tests. Include your welding method and service conditions. DERFLEX should confirm sample availability, minimum order quantity, production timing and price for the agreed specification.
Send an application brief, drawing or reference sample. Include the conditions your product will experience and how your factory will join the material.
Email: sales@derflex.com
Prefer a reference sample? Describe the current material and the improvement you need.
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