Part 1
How is Powerclad constructed?
One principal feature of Powerclad is its woven construction whereby warp yarns (machine direction) are interwoven and twisted around the weft yarns (cross direction). When the fabric is then coated, they are effectively locked. The practical effect of this is a better tear resistance. Cheaper construction methods and thereby less effective, include laid-up weaving. As the term suggests, the weft yarns simply lie over the warp yarns and no interlocking takes place.
Is Powerclad waterproof?
Powerclad scaffold sheeting is made by a cast extrusion process. Essentially a film of polyethylene in unrolled and a roll of fabric is unrolled and placed on the film. These then pass through an extruder, much like a waterfall of molten polyethylene, which fuses everything together. Just before the material passes through the cooling rollers, the reinforcing bands with the pre-punched eyelets are added.
Reinforcement band incorporating eyelets  
Cast extruded coating layer  
Interwoven reinforcement fabric (scrim)  
Cast film layer  
This method of construction guarantees a watertight coating and finish.
A. 
 Cheaper methods of manufacture include laminating whereby the two films are glued together. This may result in de-lamination after exposure to low temperature and repeated flex cycles as a result of wind flutter.
B. 
 Two common issues with a grommet system are:
  Pinholes on the inside of the grommets which is usually the result of running the extruder at too high a temperature.
 
Un-even spacing of the grommets along the length of the roll which makes it virtually impossible to overlap and secure effectively.
   
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