Which fabric for tarps and hammocks

[kjinoz]

I would like to make some hammocks and tarps for backpacking for myself and some friends. Doesn't have to be supper light weight as none of us are exactly light weights
The price for ripstop fabric in Australia is too expensive and some US suppliers don't ship here and if they do the postage kills it, so I've been trying to find a product from China but I don't have enough information to get a quote.
They need to know things like yarn count, density, weight etc.
Can anyone give me enough info to get back to them?
Thanks, Keith

[MAD777]

For a tarp you want silnylon or silpoly (silicon impregnated fabric) 30 to 40 denier, 1.3 to 2.2 ounce per square yard. (convert to metric).

For the hammock, you want the same material but uncoated. (breathable)

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[dscotthep]

Just so there's no confusion, "poly" here means "polyester". You should avoid polypropylene for your hammocks and hammock gear. Polyethylene (the UHMW variety), on the other hand, makes great cordage, and is good for whoopie slings, continuous loops, structural ridge lines, tarp guys, etc.

[kjinoz]

Thanks Mike, good information. Are Silnylon and Silpoly short for something if you were talking to the manufacturer?

[kjinoz]

dscotthep, also good info. Thank you.

[Fujibilly]

Thanks Mike, good information. Are Silnylon and Silpoly short for something if you were talking to the manufacturer?

Hey, kjinoz. Below are the definitions of the two words. The simple answer is the "sil" part stands for "siliconized." These fabrics have been coated or impregnated with silicon. That's why you want to choose these types of fabrics for a tarp.

SilNylon - Siliconized Nylon fabric (ripstop nylon that has been impregnated with silicone). This is the standard "sil" material. Very durable for its weight, but also pretty stretchy, so tarps tend to sag. It also holds more water and thus more weight once it get's wet.

SilPoly - Siliconized Polyester fabric (polyester that has been impregnated with silicone). This is a newer material. It is generally lighter and doesn't stretch as much as silnylon. However, it's also more fragile. Not so fragile that it is unusable for outdoor activities, buy you do have to be easier on it.

Hope that helps!

[mathineer]

Hey, kjinoz. Below are the definitions of the two words. The simple answer is the "sil" part stands for "siliconized." These fabrics have been coated or treated with some sort of DWR (durable water repellent). That's why you want to choose these types of fabrics for a tarp.

SilNylon - Siliconized Nylon fabric (ripstop nylon that has a DWR coating). This is the standard "sil" material. Very durable for its weight, but also pretty stretchy, so tarps tend to sag. It also holds more water and thus more weight once it get's wet.

SilPoly - Siliconized Polyester fabric (polyester that has a DWR coating). This is a newer material. It is generally lighter and doesn't stretch as much as silnylon. However, it's also more fragile. Not so fragile that it is unusable for outdoor activities, buy you do have to be easier on it.

Hope that helps!

I believe that DWR stands for Durable Water Repellent coating. Both silpoly and silnylon are waterproof as long as the material isn't compromised by holes or abrasion.

I'm not saying I'm pedantic, but I'm pedantic.

mathineer

[Fujibilly]

I believe that DWR stands for Durable Water Repellent coating. Both silpoly and silnylon are waterproof as long as the material isn't compromised by holes or abrasion.

I'm not saying I'm pedantic, but I'm pedantic.

mathineer

I've done an edit. Does that work for you?


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