What type of fabric would be able to absorb a lot of shock (weight drops). Note that it doesn't necessarily need to have a high weight limit, it just needs elasticity.
My gut instinct tells me to go with either crinkle taffeta or the heavier ARGON. Thoughts?
How about lycra
www.owfinc.com
Mike
"Life is a Project!"
Where did you find that on the website? I've never heard of that material before, and my search skills are futile in this quest.Originally Posted by MAD777
Click the "fabrics" tab in the upper left corner, then a table will appear, it's 2nd tab down on right side of table.
Mike
"Life is a Project!"
Lycra is a 4 way stretch fabric. It will have great elasticity but is not very stable under load. They use it for swim suits, workout clothing and lingerie. Nylon is a very stretchable fabric, but not as much as lycra. It is, however more stable. Lycra will eventually lose its elasticity. Nylon is very memory retentive, meaning it returns easily to its pre-stretch dimensions.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
You need to supply more information about your projected use. I agree that Nylon is your top prospect, but that could be Argon, 1.1 ripstop, 1.9, or even Supplex. How many of you are going to be bouncing around in this hammock?
NYLON? I agree with Ramblinrev this is why it is the primary material use in climbing rope. But technically something like lycra or spandex may have more stretch. Ask Sara Blakely where you can buy the material she uses for her "SPANX", buy a few yards of that from her factory. Then see if that hammock makes you look skinny. LOL
Seriously, the weave of the fabric is almost as important as the material. But I would like to try out a hammock made of extra heavy duty Spanx fabric. It is a polyester spandex with some cotton in it.
the Durastretch Style 532, 66%Nylon/34%Spandex, 4 way stretch at "Stretch Wovens"
http://www.owfinc.com/fabrics.html
is probably more reasonable but not as much fun.
Tell us how your "SPANX" hammock works out for you.
Last edited by ntxkayakr; 07-31-2014 at 20:00. Reason: seriously
Crucially important statement there, but not complete. Lycra is a fiber, that is it is used to make fabric. Lycra fabric is usually a knit which gives it a whole lot of stretch. Nylon is also a fiber which can be used to make fabric. I believe you can buy nylon knits. A knit will always provide more elasticity than a weave because there is not the same kind of grain in a knit. A knit is somewhat compared to a zig zag stitch in that the force is not applied unidirectionaly on the fibers. However, a knit is not going to provide the same stability as a weave. So take that into consideration. If you "bounce" a lycra or some other knit will meet your needs better than a weave. If you want a stable stretch then a nylon weave is probably your best bet.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
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