Webbing Glossary

Fiber Type Descriptions

Meta-amid fiber – A heat-resistant and flame-retardant synthetic fiber used in protective clothing, such as firefighter gear.
Para-aramid fiber – A strong, heat-resistant fiber known for its use in ballistic-rated body armor and high-performance applications (commonly used in Kevlar® webbing).
UHMWPE (Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene) fiber – An extremely strong, lightweight fiber used in applications like ropes, body armor, and cut-resistant gloves.
Vectran® – A high-performance multifilament yarn spun from liquid crystal polymer. Known for its strength, durability, and resistance to moisture and chemicals.
Technora® – A type of para-aramid fiber offering high tensile strength, resistance to chemicals and heat.
Zylon® – A synthetic polymer that is lightweight and high strength. Commonly used in aerospace.
POY (Partially Oriented Yarn) – A type of yarn that is partially stretched. POY is used on lanyards in the Fall Protection industry to help limit forces in case of a fall.

Weaving – The process of interlacing yarns at right angles to create fabric. Commonly used for webbing production.
Webbing – A strong, woven fabric strip used in straps, safety equipment, and industrial applications for strength and durability.
Elastic Webbing – A type of webbing that is woven with elastomers that provides stretchable properties. Often used in applications like waistbands or safety harnesses where flexibility is required.
Tear Webbing – A special type of webbing designed to tear under specific loads to limit forces in safety systems. This webbing is typically used on lanyards in the Fall Protection Industry to help limit forces in case of a fall.
Shuttle loom – A traditional weaving machine that uses a shuttle to weave yarn through the warp threads to create fabric.
Needle loom – A modern weaving machine that uses needles to interlace the yarn and is commonly used in narrow fabric production, like webbing.
Finishing – The final processes applied to fabric or webbing to enhance properties like strength, appearance, or functionality (including waterproofing and fire resistance).
Custom Sewing – The process of creating tailored sewn products based on specific customer requirements.

Plain weave – The simplest weaving pattern where the warp and weft threads cross over each other in a one-to-one ratio, creating a checkerboard effect.
Twill weave – A type of weave with a diagonal rib pattern, offering more flexibility and durability than a plain weave.
Satin weave – A weave with fewer intersections between warp and weft threads, creating a smooth, lustrous surface on one side.
Tubular weave – A seamless weave that creates a tube-like structure, often used for creating hollow or reinforced webbing.
Herringbone weave – A distinctive V-shaped pattern said to resemble the bones of a herring fish. This weave offers both aesthetic appeal and strength.
Pick – The weft thread or filling yarn that is passed through the warp threads during weaving.
Warp – The set of lengthwise yarns held in tension on a loom through which the weft is woven.
Weft – The crosswise yarn or filling that is woven through the warp threads to create fabric.
Filling – A term interchangeable with weft. It refers to the yarn that fills in the spaces between the warp threads in weaving.

Tensile – Refers to the strength of a material or webbing and is measured by how much weight it can support before breaking.
Chemical Resistance – The ability of webbing or fabric to withstand exposure to chemicals without degrading or losing performance.
Abrasion Resistance – The capacity of webbing to resist wear and damage from friction or rubbing during use.
Elongation – The extent to which a material stretches or extends under stress before breaking.
UV Resistance – The ability of webbing to resist degradation when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light (usually from sunlight).
Fire Resistance – The ability of webbing or fabric to withstand heat/flames without melting, dripping or igniting.

Berry Compliance – Berry Compliant webbing is a type of textile material that meets specific standards set forth by the Berry Amendment. This US law requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to purchase only domestically sourced and manufactured items, including textiles.
ASTM – ASTM International is a globally recognized standards organization, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials. When it comes to webbing, ASTM provides several standards that cover various aspects of its properties, testing methods, and performance requirements, such as ASTM D761, ASTM D2256, ASTM D3776, and more.
MIL-SPEC (Military Specification) – Standards used by the U.S. Department of Defense for materials and processes to ensure military reliability. Webbing standards under MIL-SPEC, like Mil-T-87130, typically cover material composition, physical properties, dimensional specifications, testing methods, and quality assurance.
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) – A standard-setting body that creates guidelines for fire, electrical, and life safety systems, including fire-resistant materials. Some relevant NFPA standards addressing webbing include NFPA 1970.