Totes Tyvek

Totes Tyvek by Dupont

What is it?

Tyvek was discovered by accident by DuPont researcher, Jim White, who in 1955 noticed white polyethylene fluff coming out of a pipe in a DuPont experimental lab. The flash spinning process took a few years to perfect and in 1967 the commercial production of Tyvek was started.

Tyvek is made from 100% high-density polyethylene fibers that are 50 times thinner than a human hair. HDPE is the plastic used in milk jugs, detergent bottles, toys, etc. Tyvek is manufactured in a unique flash-spinning process without the use of binders. The continuous and very fine fibers of high-density polyethylene are randomly distributed and nondirectional. These fibers are flash spun and then laid out in a web on a moving bed and then bonded together using heat and pressure. No binders, sizers, or fillers are used. Different forms of Tyvek are made by varying the lay-down time and bonding conditions.

The two main categories of Tyvek are Tyvek for hard sided structures (HS) and Tyvek for soft sided structures (SS). The two most common examples of HS Tyvek are envelopes used by the USPS and FedEx, and Tyvek HomeWrap. Hard structure Tyvek has a paper-like rigidity with a smooth slick surface. Tyvek protective apparel such as lab coats, jackets, suits, and aprons are made with soft-structure Tyvek. It has a soft fabric-like feel, and with use and handling it becomes even softer and more pliable, taking on a silky feel. Within the two main categories, there are dozens of types of Tyvek designed for different uses.

Material Properties:

Recyclable / Reusable – as playground equipment, landscaping materials, corrugated pipes, park benches, etc. (though only through special programs)

Tear resistant

Fade resistant

Lightweight

Soft

Strong

“Scrunchable”

Bend & fold thousands of times

Breathable - cooler b/c keeps rain out but allows air flow

Can be sewn, stitched, stapled, laminated and fixed without losing strength or tear resistance

UV Protective

Non-stretchable

Flexible

Smooth

Particulate free

Opaque

Restistant to rot, mildew, chemicals, abrasion, and aging

high strength to weight ratio

pH 7 (neutral)

Can be slit, scored, die cut, laminated, embossed, grommetted, and sewn

Can be laser cut

Traditional Applications:

Construction - insulating housewrap

Graphics - bags, tags & labels, signs, maps, currency, drivers' licenses, guides & durable docs, kites, game boards, children's books

Envelopes - fed ex, USPS, netflix

Medical packaging

Industrial packaging

Protective apparel

Promotional jackets

Reinforcing - covers, notebooks, folders

Concert wristbands

DIY Applications:

Camping supplies, tents & sun shelters

Wallets & Totes

Underwear & Underwear

Shade Structures

Fashion

Blankets for the homeless

826 LA Literacy Center

DIY Treatments:

Washing HS Tyvek to make it softer

Dyeing

Resources:

official Dupont website

"The definitive Tyvek article" part 1 & part 2

sewing guidelines

Tyvek innovative uses blog

Tyvek styles chart

free Tyvek samples

student essay on Tyvek

Tyvek tape

Design Direction:

We are interested in pursuing Tyvek as a material for making shade. Through laser cutting we can create a delicate, lacey yet strong fabric that when pulled and attached to a structure will pop open apertures to allow sunlight through or block it out depending on specific conditions and where the attachments are made.

Our goal is to obtain offcuts of Tyvek home wrap from construction sites rather than purchasing the Tyvek new and attach the pieces together through sewing or with Tyvek tape to cover a large area.

We gave ourselves a crash course in tensile structures, their design and history this week. But we are more interested in designing the shade fabric than the supporting structure. Perhaps somebody else's popup project could serve as the support structure for our popup shade fabric?!

Here are some experiments in slitting that we have pursued / will pursue when the laser cutter is back up and running: