Lab 03
Lamination & Coating Technology
Fabric bonding technology for bonds that hold under stress
The science behind the bond
A functional fabric is only as reliable as its lamination or coating. A single weak bond can compromise the entire fabric's performance — delamination, coating failure, or loss of waterproofness can render a fabric unsuitable for its intended application. At Seekingtex, we have invested in a dedicated Lamination & Coating Technology lab that combines industrial-grade lamination and coating equipment with rigorous process control and post-application testing. Every bond we produce is documented, traceable, and certified to meet or exceed the requirements of AATCC and ASTM standards for fabric laminates.
Lamination uses heat and pressure to bond fabric layers with adhesive films (hot-melt, polyurethane, polyester), creating a composite material with combined properties. Coating applies a liquid formulation (PU, acrylic, silicone) directly to the fabric surface in precise thicknesses, then cures it to form a continuous film. Our lab is equipped for both technologies, allowing us to select the optimal method for each performance requirement.
Equipment and process control
Our lamination & coating centre is equipped with:
| Machine | Capacity / Capability | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Hot-melt laminator | Working width 1800 mm, temperature up to 220 °C, nip pressure adjustable | Fabric-to-fabric lamination, membrane lamination, film bonding |
| Knife-over-roll coater | Working width 1600 mm, coating weight 10-200 g/m² | PU, acrylic, and silicone coating application for waterproofing and breathability |
| Gravure coater | Precision coating with engraved roller, 5-50 g/m² range | Precise low-weight coatings, patterned adhesive application |
| Thermal curing oven | 3-zone temperature control, 120-200 °C, variable speed | Curing and crosslinking of applied coatings and laminates |
Every machine is equipped with closed-loop temperature and pressure monitoring. Process parameters — temperature, nip pressure, line speed, coating gap — are programmed per material type and recorded in our Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for full traceability.
Bond quality tests — every bond, every fabric
Bond integrity is verified through a mandatory four-test protocol:
- Visual inspection — 100 % of bonded areas are visually inspected for delamination, bubbles, contamination, or incomplete bonding. Reject rate threshold: 0.5 % of linear metres.
- Peel test (ASTM D1876 / ASTM D2724) — A 25 mm wide strip is cut from a test coupon produced with each production batch. Minimum peel force depends on the application but typically 10 N/25 mm for laminates.
- Hydrostatic head test — Coated/laminated fabric is tested for water penetration resistance. Minimum specification is defined by the end-use requirement.
- Thermal cycling test — Sample coupons are cycled from -20 °C to +60 °C for 50 cycles, then peel-tested again. Acceptable bond strength loss: < 10 %.
Peel Strength Comparison — Hot-Melt vs Solvent-Based Lamination (Polyester 150D + PU Film)
Hot-melt lamination consistently achieves 80-95 % higher bond strength than the industry minimum, with better consistency across production runs.
Professional expertise
Our lamination and coating team is led by a senior process engineer with 11 years of experience in textile coating and lamination. Each operator completes a 6-month in-house certification programme before being allowed to work on production runs. Recertification is required annually, including a practical bond test evaluated against our internal Grade-A standard.
Custom coating solutions for unique requirements
We understand that one coating specification does not fit every application. Our Lamination & Coating Technology lab routinely develops custom coating formulations for clients with special requirements:
- Breathable waterproof coatings — microporous PU and hydrophilic coatings engineered to balance waterproofness (up to 10 000 mm) with breathability (up to 10 000 g/m²/24h MVTR).
- Flame retardant coatings — intumescent and non-halogenated FR coatings for protective clothing and industrial textiles.
- Antimicrobial and antiviral coatings — silver-ion, zinc, and copper-based coatings for healthcare, hospitality, and high-touch surface applications.
Our commitment to you
Every fabric we deliver carries our bond-quality guarantee: if any laminate or coating fails in normal service within the warranty period, we replace the affected fabric at no cost, and a root-cause investigation is performed to prevent recurrence. This is not simply a warranty — it is a commitment to continuous improvement driven by real-world operational data.
When you choose Seekingtex, you are choosing bonds that are engineered, tested, and documented — not just applied. That is the difference between a fabric that meets spec and a fabric that exceeds expectations.
Discuss your lamination & coating requirements
Custom coating formulations, film lamination, or process validation.
Contact our coating team