Are polyester lifting slings better than nylon lifting slings? This is a question our lifting and rigging product experts commonly get and the answer, as it often is with rigging gear, is that it depends on the job at hand.
Before we dive into the key differences between nylon slings and polyester slings, there are many similar advantages to these two types of synthetic slings that are important to know.
One of the most common reasons for a rigger to use synthetic slings instead of wire rope slings or chain slings is th fact that they won't scratch or crush your load. That's why synthetic slings are extremely popular in the construction industry and with ship haulers.
Synthetic slings are also an attractive choice due to their lower cost. If you're wondering whether nylon slings are cheaper than polyester slings, don't. The prices are more or less the same, and your focus should be on choosing the right sling for the job.
Compared to wire rope and chain, synthetic slings are much lighter, making them easier to transport and handle. Again, nylon is typically a little heavier than polyester, but it's not much of a difference when you consider the weight of chain and wire rope.
It's true that nylon is stronger on an individual fiber level, but a polyester sling can be made just as strong as a nylon one by adding more threading. And both types can easily lift several thousand pounds. So while it's important to use a lifting sling that's rated for the load your lifting, this won't affect your choice between nylon and polyester.
Now that you know how they're similar, let's look at the differences between the physical characteristics of nylon and polyester to determine which material type is best for your job.
This is one the most important differences between nylon slings and polyester slings. While nylon slings have more give to them (about 7 to 10 percent stretch when at WLL) that does not mean they are weaker than polyester (typically 2 to 3 percent stretch at WLL). The main reasons you would want more or less stretch when lifting a load include overheight lifting room and the potential for "snapback".
If you have height limitations, polyester is probably the better choice. If your load could bounce around a lot, the extra stretch of nylon will reduce the danger of the strap snapping back at you or others. This difference in the stretch is why you typically see recovery straps made of nylon and tow straps made of polyester.
Both nylon and polyester slings are good for delicate loads, but if you're wondering which one is best for the most delicate loads, it's polyester. The chemical coating on nylon webbing gives it a slightly more coarse texture.
Polyester is also a bit more flexible than nylon. By flexible, I'm not talking about stretch but rather the ability to wrap tightly around a load and grip the most surface area.
This is an important difference, especially when choosing between nylon endless slings and polyester endless slings. It's also important to note that there is a difference between flat web polyester slings and round polyester slings.
Nylon Endless Sling Polyester Endless Sling
Another key question to ask when choosing between nylon slings and polyester slings is, what are the environmental conditions? There's a reason why ship haulers and those in marine environments prefer polyester slings, they absorb less water and are just a bit more resistant to UV rays. But, you also need to consider the differences when it comes to chemical resistance.
Avoid using nylon slings if you're operating anywhere near sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric, or phosphoric acids. Nylon is also unresistant to oxidizing bleach agents such as sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate, and calcium hypochlorite.
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On the other hand, polyesters Achilles heel is ethers and alkalis. Among other chemicals, this includes diethyl ether, dimethyl ether, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide.
In short, synthetic lifting slings are a great choice due to their ability to handle delicate loads, lower cost, lightness, and impressive strength. In the polyester sling vs nylon sling matchup, the winner is whichever one meets the demands of your specific job best.
Nylon slings have more stretch but can't be used near acids or bleaches. Polyester slings are softer and hug to load surfaces better but can't be used near ethers or alkalis.
There are many different materials, types and widths of webbing used in the Outdoor industries. Webbing is a strong fabric woven as a flat strip or tube of varying widths and fibers often used in place of rope.
Webbing is a strong fabric woven as a flat strip or tube of varying widths and fibers you use for things like hammock suspension, securing tarps, and as tree straps. You can find outdoor webbing in several different materials, sizes, and styles. A lot of webbing today is constructed out of high-durability materials &#; such as nylon, polyester, polypropylene, and Kevlar &#; so they can withstand more weight, stretch, and abrasion.
Characteristics of good webbing for outdoor gear include:
From your tree straps and backpack straps to your belt, there is rarely any person on a hiking trip without some form of this underappreciated material. The most significant difference between these types of webbing fabric is also one of the hardest to see &#; loads, stretch, and other required properties.
Here is an outline of the webbing materials most commonly used in the outdoor industry.
Two of the most common types of webbing material are polyester and nylon. Both fabrics are lightweight and strong synthetic materials that share similar properties. They are stretch-resistant and easy to care for. Each material has its advantages, so the best fit for you depends on the intended application, like climbing or around the campsite.
Nylon is very strong and is available in several different types, including nylon 6 and nylon 6,6. It is one of the most commonly used webbing fabrics in the outdoor industry. For this reason, you can easily find nylon in various colors, styles, and applications, including backpack straps and rock climbing safety equipment.
It&#;s a popular choice among rock climbers because of its elasticity and durability. Nylon recovers well, even after extensive stretching. Nylon is also relatively UV-resistant, and as long as you don&#;t leave it exposed to the sun for months, you will not see much more than 30% loss of strength with nylon 6 and nylon 6,6.
The same elasticity that makes it suitable for climbers also makes it a bad choice for hammock suspension. Nylon absorbs water and adds to the weight more than just surface moisture.
Polyester is a common choice for webbing in the outdoor industry because it is strong, does not stretch, is UV-stable, and does not absorb water. It also comes in a wide range of widths and strengths. It is about 90% as durable as nylon, and it is one of the most UV-stable webbings available. It is also very resistant to abrasion. These properties make it an excellent choice for hammock suspension and backpack straps.
Other popular types of outdoor webbing fabric include polypropylene and Kevlar. You&#;ll often find these materials used in hammock suspension systems, backpacks, and tree straps.
Polypropylene is much lighter than other types of webbing fabric and absorbs the least amount of water weight. It floats on the water and is mildew resistant, which might come in handy for some outdoor applications. It also holds up well against stains and damage caused by things like grease and oil. That said, polypropylene is also much weaker than other types of webbing. It has a lower melting point and is less resistant to abrasion than its nylon and polyester counterparts.
Polypropylene webbing is a good choice for backpack straps and tarp tie-outs. It&#;s also suitable for tree straps wider than one inch because it is so low in weight and stretch.
Kevlar has a great weight to strength ratio. It is also abrasion and heat resistant. You may know Kevlar from its use in bulletproof vests, but it has recently become a lightweight tree strap alternative. The downside to Kevlar in the outdoor industry is that it has a very low resistance to UV degradation. With as little as 40 hours in noontime sun, Kevlar can lose up to 50% of its strength. Be cautious when using it for human suspension and avoid exposing it to too much UV light. It is recommended that you use it at night or in the shade, and do not leave it exposed to UV light while in storage. Despite these considerations, Kevlar is very lightweight and packs down very small.
To choose the best type of webbing for your outdoor use, consider the following:
DutchWare has top-quality webbing, including straps made out of nylon, polypropylene, polyester, and Kevlar. Explore our site to learn more about our hammock accessories and outdoor gear.
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