In addition to clothing and home furnishings, textiles are used for such industrial products as filters for air conditioners, life rafts, conveyor belts, tents, automobile tires, swimming pools, safety helmets, and mine ventilators. In many applications, textiles with protective plastic coatings provide greater suppleness, lighter weight, and better performance than metals. Although all types of fiber are used for such products, many industrial products use a combination of synthetic fibers on a backing of cotton. The synthetic fibers provide the fabric with mildew-proof, quick-drying properties, and the less expensive cotton backing provides bulk and stability.