When people talk about aluminum foil fabrics, the first image that often comes to mind is a silver-colored textile. However, aluminum foil fabrics come in various types with different structures, manufacturing processes, and applications. Among them, Aluminum Foil Laminated Fabric and Aluminized Fabric are the most commonly used products. Contrary to what many might think, these two are not the same. Today, we will discuss the differences between them in terms of manufacturing process, performance, and application.
Technical Differences Between Aluminum Foil Laminated Fabric and Aluminized Fabric
Material Composition and Production Process
Aluminum Foil Laminated Fabric:
Aluminum foil is typically between 0.02mm and 0.05mm thick and is bonded to the fabric surface using heat press or cold press technology. This process forms a strong composite structure, providing excellent thermal insulation properties.Aluminized Fabric:
Aluminized fabric is made by spraying fine aluminum powder (with a particle size between 15 microns) mixed with resin and solvents, which is then evenly applied to the fabric surface using a spraying process. The coating thickness typically ranges from 10 to 20 microns, making it thinner and more flexible than aluminum foil laminated fabric.
Core Performance Comparison
Thermal Reflectivity and Insulation Performance
Thermal reflectivity is a key indicator of the material’s ability to protect against heat.
Aluminum Foil Laminated Fabric:
Research shows that pure aluminum has a thermal reflectivity of over 90% and can effectively reflect most infrared radiation. For example, ASTM E1957 tests show that the thermal reflectivity of aluminum foil remains at 90.4% even at 800°C. This high reflectivity makes aluminum foil laminated fabric ideal for high-temperature protection, especially in metallurgy and construction applications.Aluminized Fabric:
The thermal reflectivity of aluminized fabric is typically between 80% and 85%. Research shows that increasing the coating thickness slightly improves reflectivity, but it generally doesn’t exceed that of aluminum foil laminated fabric. According to ISO 6946 thermal performance tests, the thermal reflectivity of aluminized fabric at 600°C is approximately 83%, slightly lower than that of aluminum foil laminated fabric.
Durability and Tensile Strength
Durability is a critical factor in evaluating how long a fabric can withstand extreme environments. We compare tensile and abrasion test data.
Aluminum Foil Laminated Fabric:
According to ASTM D5034 tensile strength tests, aluminum foil laminated fabric can achieve a tensile strength of over 450N/5cm. The structure and lamination process of the aluminum foil allow the material to effectively resist long-term abrasion and physical damage caused by high temperatures.Aluminized Fabric:
According to ASTM D5035 tensile strength tests, aluminized fabric has a tensile strength typically between 250N/5cm and 350N/5cm, which is lower than that of aluminum foil laminated fabric. The thinner coating structure makes it more prone to wear and coating delamination under high-stress conditions.
Weight and Flexibility
Weight and flexibility are important factors in evaluating the comfort of protective materials for wear.
Aluminum Foil Laminated Fabric:
The weight of aluminum foil laminated fabric typically ranges from 300g/m² to 600g/m², depending on the thickness of the aluminum foil and the fabric’s density. While it excels in thermal protection and durability, the relatively higher weight can affect comfort, especially in applications requiring high mobility.Aluminized Fabric:
Due to the thinner coating, aluminized fabric typically weighs between 150g/m² and 250g/m². This makes it more lightweight and flexible, making it ideal for applications that require high mobility (such as welders and firefighters).
Water Resistance and Corrosion Resistance
Aluminum Foil Laminated Fabric:
Aluminum foil, being a metal, has inherent water resistance and corrosion resistance. Studies show that aluminum foil laminated fabric maintains good protective performance even after prolonged exposure to water or chemically corrosive environments. According to ASTM G85 salt spray corrosion tests, aluminum foil laminated fabric scores 8/10 for corrosion resistance, showing excellent performance.Aluminized Fabric:
Aluminized fabric’s corrosion resistance is generally lower than that of aluminum foil laminated fabric. Test data indicates that in high-humidity or chemical environments, the coating can peel off, especially under high temperatures or friction. According to ISO 9227 tests, aluminized fabric scores 6/10 for corrosion resistance, lower than that of aluminum foil laminated fabric.
If the application environment involves significant corrosion or moisture, aluminum foil laminated fabric’s water and moisture resistance makes it a more ideal choice.
Applications and Data Support
Aluminum Foil Laminated Fabric:
- Building Insulation: Aluminum foil laminated fabric is widely used for roofing and exterior wall insulation in the construction industry. According to ASHRAE 90.1 building energy efficiency standards, aluminum foil laminated fabric can reduce heat load by 30% to 50%, significantly improving a building’s energy efficiency.
- Metallurgy and High-Temperature Protection: The thermal insulation performance of aluminum foil laminated fabric is critical in the metallurgy industry. According to ISO 11612 standards, aluminum foil laminated protective clothing can provide over 80% thermal protection in environments up to 800°C, greatly reducing the risk of thermal injury to workers.
Aluminized Fabric:
- Welding and Metalworking: Welders and metalworkers are often exposed to high-temperature environments, making aluminized fabric’s comfort and flexibility an ideal choice for welding suits and protective gloves. According to ISO 11611 standards, aluminized welding suits can protect workers from short-term thermal exposure of up to 600°C while maintaining good freedom of movement.
- Military and Aerospace: In aerospace and military applications, aluminized fabric is used for lightweight thermal insulation materials, such as pilot suits and combat uniforms. Test data shows that aluminized fabric can provide over 60% thermal protection while ensuring good flexibility and comfort.
Aluminum foil laminated fabric and aluminized fabric each have their advantages. The choice of material depends on your specific requirements. Based on extensive experimental data, aluminum foil laminated fabric excels in thermal reflectivity, durability, and protective performance, making it ideal for high-temperature, high-intensity work environments. Aluminized fabric, on the other hand, is more suitable for applications where mobility, comfort, and lightness are prioritized.
WT has been engaged in the research and development, design, and manufacturing of Aluminum Foil Laminated Fabric since 2001. We have accumulated more than 30 inches of data. We believe that many years of experience can help you. Contact WT to obtain the most professional products and services.
