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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is WeatherMAX?
SaturaMax is Unifi's family of 100% solution dyed yarns, produced in a wide array of saturated colors. Perfect for a variety of end-uses, SaturaMax has superior color consistency, light fastness characteristics and is bleach cleanable. The color process used to create SaturaMax saves several gallons of water per pound of yarn produced, making it environmentally friendly.
An Ottoman weave is a combination of Plain weave and Basket weave, allowing WeatherMAX to offer the best combination of strength, durability, and stability. It gives WeatherMAX its firm feel and a very subtle ribbed texture, refined to the eye and luxurious to the hand.
The 80 or LT following WeatherMAX are indications of its weight. For example 80 is 8.0 oz/yd2 and LT is 6.5 oz/yd2. The reason for both weights is to provide our customers with the best product for their application. Typically, WeatherMAX 80 is recommended for applications where strength and durability are the main concern as well as higher levels of water resistance (Marine, Awning), while WeatherMAX LT is used where protection from the environment is the main concern but also packability and lightweightness (Covers, Umbrellas). We also now offer WeatherMAX FR, 9.75 oz/yd2, for applications (Commercial Awnings, Tents) where resistance to fire is a concern.
WeatherMAX LT has a different weave for applications where strength and durability are not the primary concern, with more emphasis being placed on a lightweight product that offers protection from the environment, this being of utmost importance.
A solution dyed yarn is a yarn where the color has been added into the polymer before it is extruded into a yarn form. Since the color is part of the polymer, the fade resistance of a solution dyed yarn is far superior to the fade resistance of package dyed yarn and piece-dyed fabric. The solution dyed polymers in WeatherMAX have been specially chosen for their unique ability to resist fading and retain fabric strength.
The HydroMax finish is a highly water repellent finish that gives WeatherMAX the ability to protect against heavy rain while keeping its breathability and dimensional stability. The HydroMax finish is extremely durable, providing many positive benefits, such as breathability, resistance to mildew and dirt, and its ability to maintain a cooler temperature.
WeatherMAX does not have a coating to allow the fabric to breathe, so heat and water vapor can evacuate, which is essential in preventing mildew growth. We believe WeatherMAX to be the most well balanced fabric available providing a high water resistance while not sacrificing breathability.
DWR stands for Durable Water Repellent. The exclusive HydroMax finish applied to the fabric is very durable, even after 5 laundry cycles and sun exposure, it still repels water quite effectively. The duration of the DWR's life depends on many factors, but it can be expected to last anywhere between 3.5 to 5 years before it begins to lose its potency at which point it may be required that one spot treat WeatherMAX with a product like 303
The Hydrostat test measures the maximum water pressure a fabric can hold before it starts to leak. For example, a fabric with a 39 Hydrostat, like most acrylics, will hold 39 cm (15 inches) of water before leaking, where WeatherMAX, with a Hydrostat of 65 cm (25 inches) of water.
1500 hours of UV refers to the number of hours WeatherMAX is tested in an accelerated Weathering System exposed to all spectrum UV, in addition to water, and changes in temperature and humidity. 300 hours of exposure in one of these machines is the industry standard or equivalent of one year outdoors.
WeatherMAX 80 comes with a limited warranty of 10 years.
WeatherMAX LT comes with a limited warranty of 3 years.
The fabric is tested to AATCC Test Method 169. It is exposed to all spectrums of UV rays and moisture for 1500 hours WITH NO FILTERS and the resulting color is compared to the initial color and rated.
What Is the Color Rating After 1500 Hours and How Does This Compare To Acrylic Fabrics?
After 1500 hours, on a scale from 1 to 5, the color rating is 4.5, the same as Acrylic fabrics.
Most WeatherMAX styles comes with a fused edge, allowing fabricators to use it right off the roll. Some styles (SG and 3D) are not trimmed but have a 60" usable width
In our WeatherMAX 80 product line, we currently offer 20 solid colors and 1 tweed. Most recently, we have added the Heather line which includes Sandstone and Slate. We are continuing to develop new colors as we expand the WeatherMAX product line.
WeatherMAX 80 is available in 75-yard rolls with a 60-inch usable width with fused edges. Some colors are available in 80-inch width with fused edges.
WeatherMAX LT is available in 100-yard rolls with a 60-inch usable width with fused edges. WeatherMAX FR is available in 65-yard rolls with a 60-inch usable width with fused edges.
WeatherMAX SG is available in 50-yard rolls with a 60-inch usable width with untrimmed selvedge.
WeatherMAX 3D is available in 75-yard rolls with a 60-inch usable width with untrimmed selvedge.
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Individual Needs, Special Orders, and Product Flexibility
Yes; WeatherMAX FR provides the superior color retention and strength of WeatherMAX combined with the most advanced technology in flame retardancy. WeatherMAX FR is California State Fire Marshal-Title 19 approved, passes CPAI-84 Class I or Class 1, ASTM E-84, NPFA 701 Test Method 1 & 2, and the Horizontal Flame Test FMVSS 302 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 302).
No; currently, we offer 10 styles in WeatherMAX FR, Pacific Blue, True Red, Burgundy, Captain Navy, Black, Light Charcoal, Toast, Yellow, White, and Forest Green.
Special colors can be developed upon request. Due to the difficulty involved in developing solution dyed yarns with excellent UV resistance, there will be specific ordering requirements involved.
Typically, it takes several months to develop a new color, because of the solution dyed yarn development process and our thorough UV testing required for a new color to meet our stringent standards of WeatherMAX performance.
Not in our present commercial product line, but stripes, color combinations and textured weaves may be available depending on factors such as volume, minimums, lead time, etc.
Upon request, WeatherMAX can be ordered with selvedges still intact based on customer need. Also, special width can be accommodated (from 3 to 85 inches). Both of these require prior notification with ample time to process special orders.
WeatherMAX is available in cut yardage. Contact your WeatherMAX distributor.
WeatherMAX marine binding is available. Please contact your distributor for further information.
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Performance
Fabric breathability is important because it allows water vapor pass through; preventing mildew growth and heat build up. By definition, coated fabrics do no breathe because of the coated layer put on the fabric. Some coated fabrics have moisture vapor transmission, but that is limited in the amount of moisture that can be moved through the fabric. Air permeability is the best measurement of moisture control.
WeatherMAX is made with filament yarns; it is elastic and recovers completely after stress to the fabric is removed. On the other hand, fabrics made of spun yarns such as acrylics, have little elasticity and will stretch under stress but will not recover completely, therefore producing the unsightly effect of sagging.
We measure WeatherMAX cracking resistance by folding the fabric on itself and putting it in a deep freezer at -45°F for 5 days. It is then removed, unfolded and inspected for any cracks or breakdown at the fold. After such difficult testing as mentioned above, many coated fabrics will show cracks and discoloration of the coating, whereas WeatherMAX remains unchanged. Also, some coated materials are degraded by saltwater, however, WeatherMAX has been proven to be unaffected.
WeatherMAX has been tested in the South Florida Everglades with year round constant exposure to the elements and the color has resisted as well as you would expect of acrylic fabrics.
WeatherMAX has been tested in the South Florida Everglades with a year round constant exposure to the elements as well as maximum UV exposure, and the color & strength retention have been proven comparable to that of acrylic fabrics, a breakthrough in modified polymer technology. We have also run accelerated UV testing in our certified labs, and the results prove that WeatherMAX at 1500 hours (equal to 5 years outdoors) exposure matches acrylics on fabric strength and color retention. WeatherMAX has twice the strength retention of typical marine solution-dyed polyester.
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Care & Cleaning
You can clean WeatherMAX with a solution of 50% bleach and 50% water and it will not damage the color or the DWR finish.
Click here for a WeatherMAX Care and Cleaning Guide.
We have found that Pull Out 2™, available from American Niagara Company, has proven to be the best method for removing oil spots from WeatherMAX without leaving stains or spots behind. For best results, Pull Out 2 requires two applications. To find out more, contact ANC, or your WeatherMAX distributor.
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Fabrication
WeatherMAX cuts well with many different tools. Hot knives and laser cutting systems are the most efficient. WeatherMAX can be heat sealed, using hot air or a wedge welder. It can be welded by itself or using a heat sensitive tape if needed.
We do offer a WeatherMAX Fabrication Manual available for download on our resources page. The fabrication manual has been designed as a reference, focusing on the techniques found to be the most practiced and most efficient methods for WeatherMAX fabrication.
WeatherMAX 80 can be sealed using most welding equipment (hot air, wedge, ultrasonic) with the exception of radio frequency. WeatherMAX FR acts in much the same manner, except that it can be sealed using radio frequency equipment. Manufacturer's specifications are available upon request. It is our experience that trial and error is the best method in developing a good seal.
No, when sealing WeatherMAX, we have seen the best results with FR bonding tape, but some fabricators seal WeatherMAX without tape at all. At this time, we do not offer a tape specifically for heat sealing WeatherMAX.
WeatherMAX lends itself to most graphic techniques, such as heat applied vinyl, paint, screen printing, dye sublimation, and digital printing.