Abstract: A stiff, tear resistant woven polyethylene fabric is disclosed, which comprises a woven structure of monoaxially oriented polyethylene tapes laminated to an oriented polyethylene film with an adhesive synthetic thermoplastic polymer therebetween. The adhesive has a lace structure with a sufficient number of holes and of an average size to provide the fabric having a tear strength in at least one of the transverse and machine directions substantially greater than the tear strength of a similar fabric produced with a continuous homogeneous film of adhesive of the same synthetic thermoplastic polymer and of the same thickness as the adhesive portions of the lace adhesive. The ratio of the area of the holes in the lace structure to the total area of the lace structure is between about 0.4 and 0.85. The fabric is useful for sacks which are filled in automatic packaging operations.

Abstract: A method for protecting lumber from soiling and warping, during transportation and outdoor storage, is disclosed. Stacks of lumber are covered with a wrapping material comprising a woven oriented polyolefin tape structure coated with a polyolefin containing an aluminum, brass or bronze metallic filler. The metallic filler is present in an amount sufficient to provide a light transmittance through the wrapping material of less than about 30% in the 450 to 700 nm range e.g. in amounts of 0.75 to 4.5% metallic filler when the thickness of the coating is between about 15 and 50 .mu.m.