What kind of fabric does Ortlieb use?

[XOOX]

Hi All,

Quick Question, does anyone know what kind off fabric(s) Ortlieb use for the Seat-Pack. It almost looks like parts of the bag aren't sewed but glued. Is gluing fabric even possible?

Cheers

[THE LONG RANGER]

"welded" (rather than glued)

[XOOX]

By welding do you mean vulcanisation?

[bmike-vt]

https://www.ortlieb.com/en/technisches/waterproof/

[THE LONG RANGER]

I wanna say vulcanization is a chemical reaction that happens with rubber, not a process that works due to heat, which is welding. Glue would introduce another material that bonds to the materials you want to put together. Problem with glue is that the properties of the fabric and the glue tend to be different, so the glue tends to crack because it's not as flexible as the original fabric. Glue also works best with a surface that's scored, or is porous, but of which are not qualities found in many waterproof materials.

The other way at least seams of fabric are waterproofed is by using waterproof tape. You see this on tents, stuff sacks and even on some waterproof jackets. That deals more with the holes made by the sewing needle and stitches - the tape plugs up the holes. Adds weight, though. The fabric itself would have to start as a waterproof material. The needle holes are large, as usually the waterproof material is think and somewhat inflexible - there's no, say, threads that simply get out of the way of the needle, like it would for cotton - you're literally poking a hole into the material itself.

[B@se]

The bags are made from Tarpaulin (Classic series), same as with lorries. Wlded with HFW, see also https://www.ortlieb.com/en/technisches/verschweissung/

Bas

[drwelby]

I recently made a frame bag and seat pack using vinyl-coated polyester fabric, like what they make inflatable boats out of (or the classic heavier Ortlieb panniers). I glued it all together with a vinyl fabric cement. It works just fine but it's a slow and awkward way to make bags. On the other hand, it doesn't require special equipment or much investment. You do have to design the bags differently in terms of how you seam the pieces, and you have to take into account how those seams will be loaded. But you can make pretty good bags with it.

[marcsist]

I would agree with Dr Welby - I believe the Ortlieb classics are a vinyl coated polyester, coated on one or both sides (you can tell!) While some bags just have a waterproof polyester on the side panels, not nearly as thick of a coating at the vinyl. Saves a great deal of weight.

Not exactly a treat to sew or seal. If you had access to a ultrasonic machine (sonobond) and some Bemis tape you could make quick work of this fabric.

[drwelby]

The material on the Ortlieb seat bags is similar to what is sold in the US as "heat-sealable nylon". It can be bonded together using a clothes iron. You can find instructions on making simple things like dry bags with it. I'm not sure how easy it would be to make bags with tighter corners. I plan on trying it out eventually - it is quite a bit lighter than the vinyl-coated polyester than I can get.

[Gudan]

I make bags myself and I can tell you what is made of what. Ortlib makes pvc bags, it is welded with a hot air gun and glues very well, nothing cracks and the seams are very well sealed. Here are my works you can see https://www.instagram.com/bike_and_bags/ or on my website, for example, here on the trunk a bag looks like it is made of PVC https://bikeandbags.eu/work/velosumki-bagazhnik-20l/
The bags are also made of TPU coated with nylon or polyester, this material does not adhere well and is usually HF welded. Light bags are usually made of this material, but they are expensive.

[steel_wheel]

   


hello dear DrWelby hello Gudan,

first of all: many thanks for the quick reply and for all the ideas that you share

The material on the Ortlieb seat bags is similar to what is sold in the US as "heat-sealable nylon". It can be bonded together using a clothes iron. You can find instructions on making simple things like dry bags with it. I'm not sure how easy it would be to make bags with tighter corners. I plan on trying it out eventually - it is quite a bit lighter than the vinyl-coated polyester than I can get.

did you try it out yet!?  i would love to hear from you again

I make bags myself and I can tell you what is made of what. Ortlib makes pvc bags, it is welded with a hot air gun and glues very well, nothing cracks and the seams are very well sealed. Here are my works you can see https://www.instagram.com/bike_and_bags/ or on my website, for example, here on the trunk a bag looks like it is made of PVC https://bikeandbags.eu/work/velosumki-bagazhnik-20l/ The bags are also made of TPU coated with nylon or polyester, this material does not adhere well and is usually HF welded. Light bags are usually made of this material, but they are expensive.

many thanks Gudan for sharing your ideas and plans - awesome. Very great.


i would love to create a ortlieb frame bag