Inflatable boat fabrics are the materials that manufacturers use to construct their boats. These fabrics have to be strong and durable to cope with repeated inflation and deflation, the mechanical strain of launching and retrieving the boat, as well as the effects of changing weather conditions. Most inflatables are made from an insulated multilayered fabric base which is then impregnated with waterproof substances. The most commonly used impregnations are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and neoprene.

The first inflatables to come on the market were made from PVC fabric. At the time these fabrics were quite new and not fully tested for longevity, however, they did demonstrate a good level of durability in comparison to the older rubber dinghies. The issue with these early PVC fabrics was that they were not treated with a UV protectant so after a period of time the fabric will start to deteriorate and eventually fail. This will mean that all the accessories, transom, and seams will need to be re-glued which is costly and time-consuming.

Currently, the majority of RIBs on the market are manufactured from either PVC or CSM/Hypalon fabric. Both fabrics have their advantages and disadvantages so it really depends on what you will be using your boat for to determine which fabric is the best choice for you.

If you are mainly looking to use your RIB for pleasure boating for 1 or 2 months a year, then PVC may be the ideal solution. However, if you will be taking your boat out all year round or you need it for professional work then we would recommend choosing a neoprene hypalon tube.

PVC fabric is a synthetic product that is made from ethylene and chlorine. It is often softened with plasticizers to make it flexible and it has a good level of resistance to mechanical wear. PVC is cheaper than neoprene or Hypalon because it can be assembled industrially by welding, which is much quicker and more reliable than the alternative process of gluing.

If you are not sure what type of fabric your RIB is made from, then take a look at the rib manufacturer's website for more information or contact a member of our team and we can help identify it. We also recommend that you treat your RIB with a good quality UV protectant for maximum life span.

PVC Inflatable Non-slip Fabric Vinyl Fabric For Sports Use

Product Name	PVC Inflatable Non-Slip Fabric	Item No#.	HLIBF005
Brand Name	HANGLONG	Place Of Orinal	HAINING,ZHEJIANG,CHINA
Base Fabric	1000D*1000D 20*20	Weight/GSM	650-850G
Available Width	1-3.2M	Available Color	OEM Color
Delivery Time	15-25DAYS/20GP	Production Capacity	45-75,000SQM/Monthly