Dock sealing systems are indispensable equipment in the loading and unloading areas of modern warehouses, cold chain storage facilities, food and pharmaceutical plants, and logistics parks. Dock seals (sponge door seals ) and dock shelters are used to seal the gaps between warehouse doorways and truck rear ends, reducing energy consumption and preventing rainwater, dust, and external pollutants from entering the interior. The lifespan and sealing performance of the entire sealing system largely depend on the quality of the surface industrial textile fabric.

Currently, different warehouses around the world have different focuses when choosing platform sealing solutions:
European market ( Loading bay seal ) : Strict energy efficiency requirements lead to high adoption rates of inflatable bay covers and high-sponge bay seals.
North American Market ( Foam Dock Seal, Foam Pad Seal ) : Due to the diverse range of freight vehicle types , mechanical retractable door covers are the mainstream solution.
China Market: The cold chain and e-commerce manufacturing industries are developing rapidly, and the development of economical PVC fabrics is also progressing rapidly.
Southeast Asia and the Middle East ( Dock Seal / Dock Shelter ) : Strong outdoor ultraviolet radiation, relatively strict UV requirements.
High-quality sealing fabric can effectively reduce the energy consumption of cold storage air conditioning, maintain a clean environment in the storage area, and ensure stable and efficient operation of loading and unloading operations.

Why choose Dejia’s high-quality PVC textile fabric?

Dejia’s specialized industrial fabrics undergo special formula modification to withstand long-term compression friction, repeated stretching deformation, high airtight pressure, and outdoor weathering aging tests. The fabrics are available in widths up to 3.2 meters and support customized colors and weights . The products comply with multiple standards such as ISO9001, REACH, and B1 flame retardancy, meeting the certification requirements of global export markets.
I. Product Structure and Working Principle
1. Foam Dock Seal
Main structure: high-density polyurethane foam core + outer protective textile fabric, no inflatable structure and no metal telescopic frame.
Working principle: After the truck reverses and stops at the platform, the rear of the truck bed is compressed to form a sponge pad to achieve a seal; the outer textile fabric directly bears the pressure and friction from the truck body.
Fabric stress characteristics: long-term repeated pressure and friction, outdoor ultraviolet aging.
Applicable scenarios: Factory warehouses where the dimensions of the truck bodies are relatively uniform.
2. Dock Shelter
Dock covers are divided into two main categories: mechanical telescopic door covers and inflatable dock covers .
Mechanical telescopic dock cover
Main structure: hot-dip galvanized/aluminum alloy spring telescopic frame + flexible PVC curtain fabric, no external power supply required.
Working principle: The rear of the truck pushes the side curtains and top curtains backward, causing the frame to move backward; the springs automatically return to their original position after the truck leaves. The curtain fabric needs to withstand high-frequency push-pull rebound deformation.
Product advantages: Compatible with various truck models with significant differences in cargo box size.
Inflatable dock cover
Main structure: steel frame, air supply fan assembly, inflatable airbag fabric, and front wear-resistant protective curtain.
Working principle: After the fan is started, the top airbag and the airbags on both sides inflate and expand. The airbag fabric wraps around the rear of the truck, achieving a near-sealed effect.
Product advantages: Highest sealing rating, widely used in cold storage, constant temperature food factories, and pharmaceutical cleanrooms.
II. Core Performance Requirements of Fabrics
Different platform equipment operating conditions require different focuses on fabric performance. Qualified sealing fabrics must possess one or more of the following capabilities:
The high-strength polyester base fabric with PVC coating is tensile and tear resistant, resists scraping from truck edges, and can withstand long-term cyclic deformation without cracking.
UV-resistant and weather-resistant coating contains UV anti-aging additives, making it less prone to powdering, cracking, and fading under long-term outdoor exposure, thus extending the service life of the outdoor platform fabric.
Flame retardant performance can be selected from B1, B2 or special flame retardant grades, reducing the risk of fire spread in warehouse loading and unloading areas .
Dense, waterproof and mildew resistant coating prevents rainwater penetration; mildew resistance is crucial for extending service life.
low- temperature environments and will not harden or crack at -30 ° C .
Cyclic durability sponge cover and mechanical curtain fabric: will not crack under long-term compression, bending and fatigue.
Door Sealing PVC Fabric Specifications and Applicable Parts Comparison Table
Fabric Specifications Recommended application areas Compatible Products Core performance focus
750 g/m² PVC Side curtains, top curtains Mechanical telescopic door cover Tensile strength and resilience after repeated bending
1360 g/㎡ PVC Sponge cover fabric Dock-Seal (Heavy-duty, High-spec) High wear resistance, compression resistance, and resistance to outdoor UV aging
3 mm thickened PVC composite fabric Front anti-collision protective curtain Front protective parts such as inflatable door covers
Impact resistant and scratch resistant

III. Detailed Technical Specifications of the Fabric

Platform sealing fabrics are divided into three main categories: mechanical door cover curtains, sponge door seal outer fabrics, inflatable door curtains, and front anti-collision protective curtain fabrics.
A. Fabric for mechanical telescopic door curtains
Long-term resistance to pushing, pulling, stretching, and repeated bending deformation
base fabric material 1500 * 1500D 16*16 Plain Weave Polyester
Coating process Double-sided PVC coating
gram 750gsm±5%
Warp/Weft tensile strength 3400/3300 N/5cm
Warp/Weft tear strength 320/310 N/5cm
Peel strength 110 N/5cm
Applicable Scenarios Ordinary logistics park, mixed vehicle types
B. Sponge door seal outer fabric
Encasing the main body of the sponge, it withstands compression, friction, and outdoor weathering.
Test Project Test data
base fabric material 1000 *1000 D 30*30 Panama weave high-strength polyester
Coating process Double-sided PVC coating
gram 1360gsm ±5%
Warp/Weft tensile strength 4600/4500 N/5cm
Warp/Weft tear strength 480/450 N/5cm
Peel strength 160N/5cm
Operating temperature 30℃ ~~ +70℃
Applicable Scenarios Open-air platform, high freight traffic, sponge door seal
C. Inflatable door cover front anti-collision protective curtain fabric
Test Project Test data
base fabric 2200 * 2200 D 30 *30 Double-layer high-strength polyester
Coating material PVC coating
gram 3700gsm ±5%
thickness 3mm
Warp/Weft tensile strength 4000/3800 N/5cm
Warp/Weft tear strength 500/500 N/5cm
Operating temperature -30 ℃ ~~ +70℃
Applicable Scenarios Front impact protection and reinforcement for mechanical or inflatable door covers.
IV. Comparison Table of the Three Major Platform Sealing Systems
Comparison Projects sponge door seal Mechanical telescopic gate Inflatable door cover
Core textile components sponge cover fabric Retractable curtain fabric Inflatable airbags + front protective curtain
Main stress distribution of fabric Extrusion friction Repeated stretching and bending Impact
Truck model compatibility range Limited, suitable for fleets with uniform vehicle models Compatible with various sizes of trucks Widest range of compatible car models
Common fabric failure risks Surface wear, coating chalking The fabric cracked after repeated bending. Coating peeling and delamination
Typical application industries Fixed manufacturing plant for car models General Logistics Warehousing Park Cold chain warehouses, food and pharmaceutical cleanrooms
V. Conclusion
Platform door seals and door cover textiles are decisive factors in the quality of the entire sealing equipment. The stress requirements for fabrics differ significantly between sponge door seals, mechanical door covers, and inflatable door covers; higher fabric weight does not necessarily mean better product performance. When purchasing and selecting materials, it is necessary to consider the types of trucks operating within the factory area, the indoor and outdoor environment of the platform, temperature requirements, and the frequency of loading and unloading traffic to match the corresponding technical parameters of the fabric.
With the increasing demands for energy conservation, emission reduction, and cleanroom management in the modern warehousing industry, coated industrial fabrics with low-temperature resistance, high airtightness, and ultra-long weather resistance will become the mainstream development direction in the platform sealing field. The fabrics support various weights, coating formulations, colors, and customization, providing one-stop customized fabric solutions for different factory conditions.
Whether it’s a general warehouse, a large distribution center, an ultra-low temperature cold storage, or a pharmaceutical cleanroom, the right platform sealing material can maintain the platform’s sealing effect for a long time, reduce energy consumption, and reduce subsequent equipment maintenance costs.