Cargo Webbing and Recovery Straps - Nylon v.s. Polypropylene Webbing

Posted: 11/1/2017

By: Collin Barnwell

When it comes to manufacturing cargo strapping or cargo netting, one of the biggest questions we get asked is, “what is the tensile strength or breaking point?” While the breaking point is an important property to know about the webbing, and varies from style to style; it is also just as important to understand the stretching properties of your webbing. How does nylon and polypropylene webbing compare for cargo and recovery strap manufacturers?

Nylon

D-Web Nylon Webbing offers unbeatable strength with a “bounceback” stretching property that makes it suitable for recovery strapping. At its rated capacity, nylon webbing stretches 4% to 8% in length. When stretched at its breaking strength, nylon webbing can stretch up to 30%. Nylon webbing is very temperature sensitive and can fail if used outside of a temperature range of -40°F to 195°F. Additionally, nylon webbing can fail if it comes in contact with items having a surface temperature outside of the stated range.

Click here to view D-Web Nylon Webbing

Polypropylene

Much like nylon webbing, polypropylene webbing offers unbeatable strength; however, polypropylene webbing lacks the stretching property nylon webbing has. The stiffness of polypropylene webbing makes it an ideal component to cargo straps, vehicle tie downs, ratchet straps, and more. Polypropylene webbing is similar to nylon webbing concerning product failure in extreme temperatures. Much like nylon webbing, polypropylene webbing works best when used in temperatures ranging from -40°F to 195°F.

Click here to view D-Web Polypropylene Webbing

Properties and Availability of Webbing

D-Web Webbing is available in various styles and ranges in widths from 1” to 5” and stocked on 50 yard rolls. When splicing your webbing, it’s important to keep in mind that a longer webbing piece will not increase the break strength ability, but a wider width will. If you do not see a style, pattern, or product you need contact DirecTex about our Custom Manufacturing program.

Every D-Web style has its own properties and will vary from style to style. If you are unsure as to what your webbing style’s tensile strength, curvature, or weight per yard is, among other properties, ask a DirecTex representative and we can get the desired information to you.