Textilene fabric is commonly referred to as outdoor sling fabric; it is a high-strength woven mesh material made from a polyester base coated with PVC, offering outstanding weather resistance. Please note: Textilene® is a registered trademark of Duncher Technologies GmbH; this article merely outlines the general performance characteristics of this type of outdoor fabric.

What Is This Outdoor Mesh Material Made Of?

This outdoor mesh fabric typically consists of approximately 30% polyester and 70% PVC, and is manufactured using a composite coating process. The base material consists of industrial high-tenacity polyester filament yarn, which serves as a framework providing excellent tensile strength and load-bearing capacity; the entire surface is coated with a protective layer of PVC (polyvinyl chloride). It is the primary material used in outdoor leisure furniture, beach chairs, sunshade nets, and safety fencing.

The Manufacturing Process of Sling Fabric

The production process for sling fabric can broadly be divided into five stages, which I shall explain in detail:

PVC Compounding

PVC resin, colour pigments, UV stabilisers and other functional additives are blended in the specified proportions, then fed into a high-speed mixer for hot and cold mixing. The mixture is subsequently melted at high temperature in a twin-screw extruder, extruded, cooled and pelletised to produce masterbatch specifically designed for PVC coating applications.

PVC-Coated Yarn Extrusion

Specialised PVC masterbatch is fed into the extruder and heated until it melts into a liquid state. At the same time, high-tenacity polyester industrial filament is fed smoothly from the yarn rack and guided through the centre of the die head, where the molten PVC uniformly coats the outer layer of the polyester filament from all sides. The formed yarn is rapidly solidified and set via water cooling, then undergoes drawing, drying and quality inspection, before finally being wound into PVC-coated yarn, also known as Teslin yarn.

Warping

The small rolls of finished PVC-coated yarn are arranged in an orderly fashion on a warping machine to form a uniform warp, which is then wound onto a warping beam; no sizing is applied at any stage of the process. This process ensures that the spacing and tension of all the yarns remain consistent, thereby preventing issues such as skipped stitches, broken yarns and uneven mesh sizes in subsequent stages of production.

Menenun

Once the yarn has been warped, it is fed into the weaving machine for interlacing, allowing a variety of patterns to be woven using different moulds.

Thermo-Fixing

After weaving, the mesh fabric must undergo stretching before heat setting. The purpose of this is to correct the fabric’s width and ensure surface uniformity, aligning each mesh opening into a square grid to make the fabric surface flatter and ensure consistency across the width. Finally, the fabric passes through a setting machine, where it undergoes high-temperature treatment to set its dimensions and pattern.

Key Benefits of Sling Fabric for Patio Furniture

The properties of sling fabric make it the ideal choice for patio furniture, as it offers the following features:

• Excellent weather resistance, anti-UV, waterproof and anti-mildew.
• High tensile strength, wear-resistant and long service life.
• Mesh structure with good air permeability, comfortable to use.
• Smooth surface, stain-resistant and easy to clean.
• Stable size, not easy to sag or deform.

Why is Sling Fabric Becoming Increasingly Popular

• UV protection: Compared to standard Teslin sunshade fabric, the warp-knitted polyester and PVC composite structure blocks over 90% of UV radiation, which is key to ensuring that beach chairs and parasols retain their colour for five years.
• Breathable and water-draining design: The mesh structure allows rainwater to drain away quickly, preventing waterlogging and the growth of mould; this is why sling mesh fabric is commonly used for pool loungers.
• Dynamic load-bearing performance: The combination of 1000D high-density yarn and a PVC coating gives the fabric 40% greater resilience under body weight than standard PVC mesh fabric.

How to Check the Quality of Outdoor Mesh Fabric

The relationship between these three core parameters is like that of a triangle: each is indispensable, but they carry different weights:

• Grammage: This is the basic strength of the fabric. With every increase of 200 g/m² in weight, the tear resistance increases by about 30%. The costs increase by around 15–20% per 200 g/m². Fabrics with a lower grammage than 600 g/m² are not suitable for commercial use.
• Density: Affects recovery from deformation. For a normal, reasonable thread count, 12×12 is recommended. Higher thread count makes the fabric less breathable and causes local deformations on the surface of the fabric. A lower thread count causes the tensile strength of the fabric to decrease.
• Coating process: uniformity is key. Poor-quality PVC coatings can develop ‘tear marks’—areas that become brittle when exposed to UV light, eventually cracking at the weakest points of the coating.

The fabric weight determines the product’s lifespan, the quality of the coating affects the fade curve, and the weave affects the user experience—when working with a limited budget, we recommend prioritising 1000D yarn and an even coating, as this offers the best value for money in polyester Teslin fabrics. For temporary use, the fabric weight may be reduced slightly, but it is essential to check that the coating is evenly applied and does not allow light to shine through.

Sling Fabric GSM & Application Table

Sling Mesh vs. Traditional Outdoor Fabrics

Vinyl Mesh Fabric Container Loading Rules

During container loading, do not stack the rolls alternately horizontally and vertically. Long ocean transit will cause the lower vinyl mesh fabric to develop creases, and the inner paper cores will also deform. These defects will add extra cutting and installation procedures, resulting in higher labour costs. To avoid such issues, please adopt the pyramid-style stowage method: place the goods layer by layer in a pyramid shape. This ensures even pressure distribution on the bottom rolls, effectively preventing fabric creases and paper core deformation. See the diagrams below for correct stowage.

How to Remove Creases and Dents from Vinyl Mesh Fabric

There are three ways to deal with creases when they appear:

• Laying out: Lay the cut, creased vinyl mesh fabric flat on a smooth, hard surface. Leave it to rest for several hours in a well-ventilated room at room temperature; the fabric’s natural tension will gradually restore its smoothness. You may also gently stretch the fabric in the opposite direction to smooth out the creases, but take care not to pull too hard.
• Heat lamp: When cutting pleated sling fabric, place a heat lamp above it; the heat emitted by the lamp will cause the creases in the fabric to disappear quickly.
• Hairdryer: Hold a hairdryer at a distance from the creased areas and blow warm air onto them; the heat will soften the fabric and remove the creases.

In short, we should avoid this problem when stacking the items, as it will significantly reduce labour costs in the long run.

Kesimpulan

Thanks to its outstanding performance, this premium sling mesh is widely used in various outdoor furniture applications. As a specialist manufacturer and wholesaler of outdoor mesh fabrics, we specialise in the Rotan Honeywell range, offering a wide selection of reliable, high-quality products. Whether you require samples, bulk purchases or bespoke solutions, please do not hesitate to contact us; we look forward to working with you.

Tanya Jawab Umum

What is the typical service life? 

Typically lasts 3–8 years in outdoor use; it will last longer in a shaded environment.

How effective is the fabric at repelling water?

The fabric has a mesh structure and is not completely waterproof, but it has an extremely low water absorption rate. It drains quickly after getting wet, preventing water from pooling and causing mould to grow.

Can it be used in high-humidity, high-salinity environments such as the seaside or swimming pools?

This is entirely suitable. The fabric contains long-lasting anti-mould and antibacterial agents and is resistant to salt corrosion, meaning it will not become mouldy or rot even in damp environments or those with salty mist.

How should I clean and maintain it on a daily basis? 

For everyday dust, simply clean with clean water and a soft-bristled brush; for stubborn stains, gently scrub with a neutral detergent or diluted bleach, then rinse thoroughly with clean water and leave to air-dry in a cool, shaded place. Do not use strong acids or alkalis, hard cleaning tools, or dry in direct sunlight or at high temperatures.

Is the product environmentally friendly and safe?

The fabric complies with numerous international environmental standards and is free from harmful substances such as formaldehyde, heavy metals and phthalates. It is safe and harmless, and suitable for direct contact with the skin. Our products comply with the EU REACH Regulation; please contact us at any time for further information.

How to assess the quality of fabric?

You can shine a torch on the fabric from behind; areas where the light passes through unevenly are often defects in the coating.