Polyester PU coated Tarp

Hi there,

I have DD 3x3 tarp which I like a lot, but anyway I would like to improve it by adding couple of tie-outs and other improvements.
https://www.ddhammocks.com/product/ddtarp_olive_green_3x3?from_cat=2
As company seems not to doing custom tarps I am searching for some other manufacturer who do tarps from polyester.
Preferably some who does custom improvements.
Yes I know it is not lightest material but I like that is not stretchy it is not extra expensive and it seems to be very durable.
Do you know some manufactures like this?
And yes ... I am not sewing myself

best regards

mira

These guys will make custom backpacking tarps. They're in the U.S., but will ship internationally.

https://borahgear.com/index.html

Thank you for a link I will contact them.
Just I am a bit confused about materials ... these guys using silpoly.
What is silpoly like compared to polyester 190t ?
I have no experience with it.

m.

Silpoly is silicone impregnated polyester. It is used to make a lightweight durable waterproof fabric as the silicone strengthens the polyester fibers. It is very popular in lightweight backpacking gear. Cottage manufacturers have been using it for years, but big manufacturers have been using it recently.

Silpoly is more expensive than PU coated poly and is not quite as waterproof, though the stuff they are selling now is very good and I can't tell the difference in a tent on a rainy day. I think 190t will be quite a bit thicker than an equivalent strength silpoly.

Cottage guys who do custom work have to charge more because of the amount of labor involved. As a result of the higher base cost, they tend to use higher end fabrics because it is less of an increase as a percentage of the pieces cost. They may be willing to use whatever fabric you prefer.

IIUC it's also the case that poly stretches when wet moreso than nylon, so sil-nylon and PU nylon are generally the better choices. What I don't recall is which is more stable with time and which resists UV exposure better. I've had shelter fabric shred or lose its coating with time.

Cheers,

I think it's the other way around. Poly does not stretch when wet like nylon. I'll have to look for info. about which coating is more UV stable. I think I remember, I just don't want to say without confirming what I think I know.

I believe it's the other way around. Polyester doesn't stretch, but nylon does. Polyester is also less affected by UV.

I've always thought that the stretch of nylon could be an advantage in a stiff wind, but I'm not really sure.

Yes, I have been researching myself a bit ... And I am happy that it is polyester based material as polyester is my favorite.
It shouldn't stretch and should be UV stable also it should not sag water comparing to nylon.



I am planning some quite strong tarp 1.6 oz/yd2 or even 1.9 oz/yd2 silpoly ... No idea how such fabric is really strong.
There is a lot of reviews on 1.1oz/yd2 and 1.3oz/yd2 materials but not so much on heavier versions of silpoly

I see that Ripstop By The Roll has the 1.6oz (1.77oz with coating) but it's a bit less waterproof than the lighter stuff.

If strength is an issue for your application, keep in mind that nylon is stronger than polyester.

https://ripstopbytheroll.com/collections...ant=30371342157

HH 1500mm seems to be enough to me ... Or what do you think? This can be a issue in heavy storm?



What is strength difference for same heavy fabric? ... let's say 1.6 oz/yd2 nylon vs silpoly ... in percentage ... your guess

m.

My statement that "nylon is stronger than polyester" may be misleading, or at least oversimplified. There are different ways of measuring fabric strength: tensile strength, tear strength, burst strength, and more. Also strength when wet, when heated, etc., not to mention the effect of UV radiation.

Fabric strength (whichever kind of "strength" we're discussing) is also affected by the weave, coating if any, thread count, and probably other factors, too.

So, I don't have a good answer for you. If your application is a tarp for backpacking, both nylon and polyester should work well.
The only tarp I've used is a homemade "Ray-Way" style tarp made of 1.3oz. silnylon, which worked well.

Sure ... but I am not asking exact numbers in thousand different conditions I am not scientist and I will not pretending I am
Just some general answer like for e.g. In usual conditions Nylon is 2x stronger then Polyester or is about 15% stronger than Polyester

m.

There's no simple answer because there are too many variables. Google "strength of nylon vs polyester" and you'll see what I mean.

I found this online, but they're discussing rope, not fabric:

"Polyester rope is very close to nylon in strength when a steady force is applied. However, polyester stretches very little and therefore cannot absorb shock loads as well. It is also as
equally resistant to moisture and chemicals as nylon, but is superior in resistance to abrasion and sunlight."

Thank you that's make sense to me

BTW I ordered some samples from Ripstop By The Roll ... I am curious to have these fabrics in hands.

Also this is interesting ... Venom UHMWPE Ultralight Webbing ... ultra light and super strong.
But also awfully expensive
https://ripstopbytheroll.com/collections...t=3266299822106

Do you or somebody else have experience with it?

m.

When you attach your guylines, include a small length of elastic (i.e. shockcord), maybe 5-10 inches. They will protect the tarp against shock loads (gusts of wind, tripping over the lines, etc.).

That's what I am doing on side panels tie-outs especially when the storm is coming.
Having 4 pieces of bungee for this situations.

m.