Hannibal Safari Equipment use Australian made canvas from Wax Converter Textiles (WCT). Watch this short video from the TV show “What’s Up Downunder” about this innovative Australian manufacturer that supplies quality canvas for camping, commercial and military applications domestically as well as export to a world market.
Why is the WCT canvas so good? Read the Dynaproofed story and check the specification at the end.
The Dynaproofed story: Canvas has been used for centuries for protection against harsh and unpredictable climates throughout the world. Dynaproofed™ canvas is the preferred Australian canvas due to its uncompromising performance in one of the world’s harshest environments. The Australian climate is a great test for canvas with its wide range of unforgiving weather ranging from the rugged dry desert of the Outback, to the heat and humidity of the Tropical North, and the wind and rain in the freezing conditions of the Snowy Mountains and Tasmania.
The Dynaproofed™ range of canvas has been specifically developed over many years and manufactured to withstand all of these climatic challenges. These components makes Dynaproofed™ canvas the world’s best choice for a canvas fabric.
Base Fabrics
The right base fabric provides a balance of waterproofing with breathability, properties that ensure comfort when camping.
Ring Spun Yarn vs Open End Yarn
The spinning method of yarn also significantly impacts on the strength and durability of the fabric. There are 2 methods of spinning yarn – Ring Spinning and Open End. Ring-Spun yarn is approximately 15-20% stronger than Open-End Yarn and all Dynaproofed™ fabrics are specified with Ring Spun yarn – albeit a more expensive spinning process.
The Proofing Process and Formulation
Dynaproofed™ Tent Canvas fabrics are processed using the latest state of the art textile processing equipment. The fabrics are firstly processed through a continuous scouring preparation range to remove all impurities (both natural and introduced) from the weaving process of the base fabric. These impurities include Cotton Seed, Natural Cotton Wax and introduced Starch which is a weaving aid known as size. The preparation or ‘Pre-Proofing’ process is vital to the performance of the canvas as the impurities attract fungicide and mildew (black spot) growth. (The finishing chemicals, and in particular Rot-Proofing chemicals are still the major protection for the fabric). Dynaproofed™ fabrics are also produced in bulk 3,000 metre batch sizes to ensure continuity and consistency of all production stages.
The Dynaproofed™ finishing formulation utilises the world’s highest quality chemicals and incorporates Rot-Proofing, Mildew resistance, UV Resistance, Pigment Colours, Water-Proofing agents and 2 Acrylic binders in the processing formulation. The 2 acrylic binders offer maximum UV resistance and colour stability in terms of light fastness (maximum of 7), and also combine to resist both air-born and wet-soil bacterial and fungicidal activity.
The system is based on a wax emulsion formulation that is guaranteed not to exceed 1100 mm Hydrostatic Head in order to achieve the comfort of breathability and nil condensation, but guaranteed to pass a Cone Test leakage of less than 1ml in 18 hours. Any other fabric that has a Hydrostatic Head of 1500mm or higher is considered impervious and will more than likely condensate or sweat similar to that of PVC. The Dynaproofed™ target is approximately 700-850mm for Hydrostatic Head which, when coupled with the one test compliance makes for the perfect canvas.
The Dynaproofed™ Proofing System
Another reason why Dynaproofed™ Canvas is the best waterproof/breathable fabric is due to the engineering technology and Proofing System. Dynaproofed™ fabrics are guaranteed to be ‘impregnated’ as opposed to ‘coated’. An impregnated canvas, which is the standard method for all Dynaproofed™ fabrics, utilises a padding bath where the fabric is fully immersed into the proofing mix and squeezed into the intersteses of the fabric. The process is repeated a second time to ensure thorough impregnation and coverage which allows for up to 90gsm of proofing pick-up onto the base fabric.
In contrast, a coated canvas is produced by running the base fabric under a coating blade which scrapes the chemical mix over the surface of the fabric. This process is then repeated with the reverse side being coated in a similar method. This process seals the fabric and usually produces extremely high Hydrostatic Head results. This is actually a downside as the fabrics will have a tendency to sweat or condensate due to poor breathability and air permeability. The other negative factor often associated with coated canvas fabrics is tent seam leakage. Generally speaking, the coating process over the base fabric does not allow the canvas to take-up on the punctures of needle stitching and seams which then need to go through an after sealing process.
WCT Jackaroo™ Canvas for Hannibal Safari Equipment
Specification Sheet
Jackaroo is a high quality, light-medium weight, blended polyester/cotton tent canvas. The fabric is a very tightly constructed fabric that is woven from fine yarn counts and produced in a tear stop weave.
Jackaroo is designed specifically for higher quality family frame tents and designed to withstand the toughest of environmental conditions. The proofing process allows for excellent water and rot resistance while also maintaining ‘breathability’ and no condensation to develop on the inside of the tent.
Weight:
Loomstate: 315g/sq.m (9.3 Oz) +/-30gsm
Dynaproofed: 385g/sq.m (11.3 Oz) +/-30gsm
Width:
Loomstate: 191cm
Dynaproofed: 183cm
Construction:
Material: 65/35 Poly/Cotton Tear Stop
Maximum Shrinkage: 2% in Warp only, 0% in weft.
Tear Resistance (AS 2001.2.10): Warp 70N min, Weft 45N min
Breaking Force(AS 2001.2.3): Warp 1900N min, Weft 1400N min
Hydrostatic Head (AS 2001.2.17): 750mm min
Cone Test (AS 2001.2.18): Pass