Understanding the Differences Between Polypropylene, Polyester, and Nylon Webbing

As a material, webbing plays a crucial role in various applications. It's frequently used in industries such as hiking/camping, outdoors, military, pets, and sporting goods. But, what makes different types of webbing stand out from each other? Let's discuss the differences between polypropylene, polyester, and nylon webbing.

POLYPROPYLENE WEBBING
Polypropylene webbing is composed of thermoplastic synthetic polymer that is known for its durability, strength, and resistance to water. It is a cost-effective webbing that can withstand harsh weather conditions and is highly flexible. It's often used in outdoor equipment due to its excellent UV protection and mold resistance qualities. Polypropylene webbing is not affected by oils, chemicals, and acids. However, it is not advisable to use it as a heavy-duty webbing since it has a lower melting point.

POLYESTER WEBBING
Polyester webbing is a very popular webbing choice because it's highly resistant to water, mildew, and UV light. It's a strong and durable material that can hold up against sunlight, abrasion, and harsh weather conditions. Polyester webbing is an excellent choice for outdoor use, backpacks, and luggage straps since it can withstand extreme temperatures (-40°F to 257°F). Though it's not as strong as nylon, it's still one of the most sought-after choices because it's affordable and comes in a variety of widths and styles to meet your needs.

NYLON WEBBING
Nylon webbing is made of nylon fibers that are known for their strength, durability, and high resistance to wear and tear. It can withstand heavy loads, harsh climate conditions, and chemicals. This makes nylon webbing an ideal material for making military equipment, harnesses, and belts. Nylon webbing is unmatched for high abrasion applications but doesn’t do as well as polypropylene or polyester webbing with water. Nylon is still a good choice for outdoor webbing due to its high tensile strength – it’s not known to break or snap as easily as other materials. 

The choice of the right webbing material depends on the specific application. Polypropylene webbing is suitable for limited applications, while polyester webbing is an excellent choice for outdoor use, and nylon webbing is the best option if you're looking for high strength and durability.

There are a lot of factors to consider when looking for the right webbing material. That's where MMI comes in! Please let us know if you need webbing for your next project. Contact us or give us a call at 440-899-8050 for pricing, samples, and more information.