Why Does Raschel Netting Shrink?Causes and Solutions

Summary

This video discusses the causes of shrinkage in Raschel netting, a type of plastic textile, and provides solutions to prevent it.

The unique knot and loop structure of Raschel netting makes it more prone to shrinkage compared to woven netting.

Highlights

• [⚙️] Plastic textiles like Raschel netting can shrink when exposed to sunlight, with a typical shrinkage rate of 5 to 8%.
• [🔍] The knot and loop design of Raschel netting, as opposed to the plain weave of woven netting, contributes to its shrinkage tendency.
• [🔥] To prevent shrinkage, EyouAgro pre-shrinks the PE monofilaments during the extrusion process and applies a heat setting process after weaving to stabilize the fabric.

FAQs:

1. Will the shade netting shrink if stored in a warehouse?

If the shade netting is stored in a tightly rolled state in a warehouse, it typically will not shrink.

However, if it is stored in a loosely unrolled state, it may experience some shrinkage.

High temperatures can also cause some shrinkage.

2. What does natural shrinkage mean, and why does it occur?

Natural shrinkage refers to the slight shrinkage that occurs when the fabric is in a loosely unrolled state due to the Raschel knot-and-loop structure.

This natural shrinkage is similar to the stress relaxation that occurs in fabrics after weaving.

Typically, this natural shrinkage stress is released during our inspection when the fabric is fully opened.

Then it is re-rolled and packed for shipment to customers. Unless exposed to high temperatures or heat, there will usually be minimal shrinkage in the customer’s hands.

For example, prolonged exposure to high temperatures during summer sea freight can have a slight impact.

We always provide sufficient excess dimensions in length and width to ensure that customers receive enough usable material.

3. What happens if the shade netting shrinks after installation? Will it tear and fall off?

Our shade netting undergoes a pre-shrinking process in a heat oven during production to minimize shrinkage. After the fabric is formed, it undergoes a heat-setting process for further stabilization.

This ensures that shrinkage during use, even under sunlight, is controlled to less than 5%.

When installing shade netting, we recommend avoiding a tight installation and allowing some slack to accommodate potential shrinkage.

Without the pre-shrinking treatment of both material and fabric, extreme shrinkage cases can result in damage to the greenhouse frame or deformation, rather than the shade netting itself tearing or falling off.

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