Facts About Nylon and Polyester Straps

When purchasing Towing or Recovery Straps, make sure you know whether they are fabricated using Nylon or Polyester. The information here may just surprise you.

Breaking Strength

The size and breaking strength information below is based on Wrecker Supply's straps. Our straps are rated according to the material manufacturer that we use and then once our straps our fabricated, they are tested on our test bed to ensure they meet the breaking strength requirements.

Our 2" W x 20' L Nylon strap has a breaking strength of 20000 Lbs. and our 2" W x 16' L Polyester Strap has a breaking strength of 3,200 Lbs.

Why such a huge difference I bet you're wondering? The reason for that is because Nylon material has "give" which is why it's ideal for Recovery Straps. They will stretch before breaking whereas our Polyester Straps are made for Overhead Lifting which have no stretch in the material.

Chemicals

Nylon is characteristically strong and resistant to damage from many chemicals and oil. Nylon is not compatible with most Acids (Acetic Acid, Acetyl Bromide, Adipic Acid, Aluminum Potassium Sulfate, Amines, Ammonia Nitrate, Ammonium Bifluoride, Antifreeze, Benzene Acid, Benzoic Acid, Benzol, Brewery Slop, Bromine, Calcium Bisulfate, Calcium Sulfate, Carbolic Acid, Carbon Tetrachloride, Chloric Acid, Chlorinated Glue, Chlorine, Chromic Acid, Citric Oils), just to name a few.

Polyester is very strong and resistant to deformation. It is less resistant to chemicals than nylon material. Polyester is not compatible with Alcohol, Isopropyl, Secondary Butyl, Ammonium Hydroxide at 10% or more, Barium Sulfide, Chlorine Water, Copper Cyanide, Dibutyl Ether, Fluoboric Acid, Sulfuric Acid at 30%-50%, and Xylene.

If you are using your straps around a lot of chemicals, you will want to make sure you have the strongest material to withstand the effects. Chemicals will degrade the breaking strength of your straps over time.

Think about the purposes of the straps you are buying as well as the environment you will be using them in to make the best decision.

For additional information, please contact our Fabrication Specialists at csr@wreckersupplyusa.com.