The variety of characteristics that define a particular narrow fabric are numerous. Material (yarn), construction, width, thickness, weight, strength, elongation, flexibility, flat surface abrasion resistance, and selvedge edge construction are all factors that contribute to defining a particular webbing.
Each webbing material has its own performance characteristics and end uses.
Cost Factor: Polypropylene is the lowest cost material available for webbings. Nylon and polyester materials are more expensive than polypropylene. While natural cotton can be inexpensive, dyed cotton can be expensive.
Colour: Finished nylon webbing is easy to dye, however, its colourfastness is not as good as dope-dyed nylon. Polypropylene webbing is pre-coloured (dope-dyed) and is colourfast.
Strength: Polypropylene, nylon and polyester fibres are stronger than cotton. High-tenacity DURALENE® polypropylene yarn is also available.
Abrasion Resistance: Nylon provides the highest resistance to abrasion, and polypropylene has the second highest resistance to abrasion.
Chemical Resistance: Polypropylene has a wider range of chemical resistance than the other fibres.
Polypropylene Webbing
KWC uses DURALENE® polypropylene yarns and can therefore offer control of critical properties of your polypropylene webbing. Duralene polypropylene yarns can be incorporated with special additives, which can make the end product sunlight resistant, flame resistant, bacteria resistant, or heat stabilized. We have the flexibility to produce webbing in limitless colours – including one of the largest offerings of standard colours. The yarn can be produced with UV inhibitors and higher than normal tenacity so that our webbing is strong and remains strong after many years of use.
Good bulk and cover, very lightweight
High strength (wet or dry), abrasion resistant (durable)
Resistant to deterioration from mildew, bacteria, perspiration, rot and moisture
Outstanding resistance to chemicals
Very low moisture absorption (0.05%)
Stain and soil resistant, pill resistant, odour resistant
Good washability, quick drying, unique wicking
Sunlight resistant (with UV additive), colourfast
Resilient, very comfortable
Low static, low thermal conductivity
Non-allergenic
Lower cost
Cotton Webbing
Cotton offers unique advantages because of its natural looks and texture, matte finish, water absorption abilities, and low static electricity. Cotton webbing has widespread use in garment industry applications. However, for technical applications, cotton cannot match the performance characteristics of synthetics.
Good strength, low elasticity and stretch
Poor resistance to deterioration from mildew, bacteria, perspiration, rot and moisture
Poor resistance to most chemicals
Highly absorbent (8.5%), requires preshrinking
Low stain resistance
Machine-washable, dry-cleanable, launders well
Easy to dye, good color retention, prints well
Soft hand, comfortable, easy to handle and sew
Nylon Webbing
Heavier than polypropylene, less bulk and cover, higher cost
High strength, highest abrasion resistance
Higher temperature resistance, high melting point (220-250 C.)
Resistant to deterioration from mildew, bacteria, perspiration, rot and moisture
Weak resistance to acids, inert to alkalis
4.5% moisture absorption
Lower stain resistance (poor resistance against water-based stains)
Good sunlight resistance (with UV additive)
Normally dyed nylon is not as color fast as dope-dyed nylon.
Polyester Webbing
High strength, good abrasion resistance
High melting point (230-240 C.)
Resistant to deterioration from mildew, bacteria, perspiration, rot and moisture
Fair resistance to acids and alkalis at room temperature
Low moisture absorption (0.40%), quick drying
Better resistance against water-based stains, poor resistance to oil stains
Good sunlight resistance
Higher cost for dyed yarns
