In this video, we’ll delve into the common seaming defects found in inflatables, following up on our previous discussion of seaming techniques. While around 20-25% of inflatables exhibit minor factory defects leading to leaks, most of these issues stem from seaming problems.
The most basic defect is a “miss,” where the vinyl or welding iron is misaligned, resulting in an unsealed edge. This can lead to a large, eye-shaped hole in the seam. Wrinkles, another common defect, occur when a fold is welded into the seam. Though the inflatable may initially pass an inflation test, wrinkles can develop into leaks later on.
Cold welds and contamination can also cause seam failures. Cold welds happen when the welding iron is not hot enough, held for too short a time, or pressed too lightly, resulting in a weak bond. Contamination, such as oil or water, can prevent proper bonding. In contrast, burn or hot welds occur when the iron is too hot, on for too long, or pressed too hard, resulting in a thin and weakened seam.
Finally, foreign object debris (F.O.D.) can affect lap seam inflatables when debris gets trapped in the seam during welding. While the inflatable may initially be airtight, the debris can work its way free, creating a tiny, hard-to-find pinhole leak. Understanding these defects can help you identify and describe issues, making repairs and troubleshooting easier.