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In the first two articles in this series, the influence of fabric construction and of coating characteristics on the mechanical properties of coated cotton fabrics were discussed. All of the coating described in these articles was applied by a knife over blanket technique. In the work described herein, other application techniques were used, including floating knife, re verse roll, and transfer coating. Tearing strengths were measured, and pene tration studied by the stereo technique described previously. High tearing strengths could be obtained by all of the coating techniques, but no simple relationship existed between tearing strength and degree of penetration. Certain of the techniques created a porosity in the penetrated coating which is believed to be responsible for the high tearing strengths obtained.

The cooperative research program of the USDA's Southern Utilization ResearchBranch and the National Canvas Goods Manufacturers' Association for improvement in the durability of cotton awnings and other outdoor fabrics is described, and the preliminary weathering exposure studies performed under the joint program are presented. Data were obtained on a number of laboratory experimental and proprietary weather-resistant treatments for awning fabrics that had been exposed to outdoor weathering. Laboratory-prepared coatings and standard commercial coatings are compared after twelve months' weather exposure. Data are presented to demonstrate the increase in weather durability of heavy duty cotton sewing threads treated by the vat dyeing and acetylation process.

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