How to Make Webbing Non-Slip?

Selecting the right combination of base webbing material and non-slip treatment directly impacts product safety and performance across industries from medical restraints to outdoor equipment. Our manufacturing expertise enables us to engineer custom non-slip solutions optimized for your specific application requirements and environmental conditions.

To make webbing non-slip, apply friction-enhancing coatings, integrate rubber strips during weaving, texture the surface, or use specialized fabrication techniques.

Explore key manufacturing methods, material performance, and applications to find the best non-slip webbing solution for your grip and environmental needs.

anti-slipping webbing
Picture of Written By Miss Tong

Written By Miss Tong

Webbing manufacturing expert with 15+ years of experience helping product developers build high-performance straps for industrial, medical, and outdoor use.

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Table of Contents

What Are the Main Non-Slip Options for Webbing?

The main non-slip webbing options are friction-enhancing coatings (PVC, silicone, TPU, rubber), rubber strip integration, surface texturing through weave patterns or backing, anti-slip composition layering, and specialized fabrication techniques like extrusion and bonding.

Quick Overview:

  • Friction-enhancing coatings – PVC, silicone, TPU, rubber applied to webbing surface
  • Rubber strip integration – Permanent non-slip zones woven into structure
  • Surface texturing – Diamond/herringbone patterns or rubber backing
  • Anti-slip compositions – Layered materials for enhanced performance
  • Specialized fabrication – Custom extrusion and bonding techniques

 

OSHA recommends a coefficient of friction (COF) of 0.5 for proper slip resistance, while standard uncoated webbing achieves 0.3-0.4. Friction-enhancing coatings are applied through dipping, spraying, or calendering during manufacturing. Aggressive bumpy grip patterns in PVC coatings provide high slip resistance even when wet.

Rubber strip integration occurs during weaving, permanently embedding non-slip elements that cannot delaminate. Surface texturing increases contact area through specialized weave patterns or applied backing materials.

ASTM D6775 provides the standard test method for determining breaking strength and elongation of textile webbing, ensuring safety compliance across all methods.

Design Takeaway: Choose coatings for versatility and cost-effectiveness, integration for permanence, texturing for increased contact, and specialized fabrication for custom grip

How Much Grip Does PVC vs Silicone Coating Add to Webbing?

PVC coatings provide excellent grip on dry surfaces but lose effectiveness when wet, while silicone coatings offer consistent performance across all conditions and extreme temperatures, though at a higher cost.

Quick Overview:

  • PVC gripCOF 0.5-0.6 dry; drops 30-40% when wet, budget-friendly
  • Silicone gripMaintains 85-90% grip in wet or extreme temperatures
  • Cost difference – PVC significantly more affordable than silicone
  • Temperature handling – PVC for normal conditions, silicone for extreme heat/cold
  • Best applications – PVC for indoor use, silicone for outdoor/food applications

 

Performance Comparison: PVC coated webbing offers cost-effective performance and flexibility, making it suitable for budget-friendly projects. ASTM D1894 testing protocols measure static and kinetic friction properties under controlled conditions, providing standardized grip measurements for coated webbing materials.

Silicone has natural lubricity and lower coefficient of friction compared to rubber materials, but maintains consistent performance regardless of conditions. Traditional PVC has a maximum operating temperature around 60°C when heat distortion begins to occur, while silicone non-slip webbing for safety equipment maintains performance from -60°C to 250°C.

Material Benefits:

  • PVC advantages: Strongest dry grip, lowest cost, easy to manufacture
  • Silicone advantages: All-weather performance, FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 food-safe compliance, extreme temperature resistance
  • Wet conditions: Silicone maintains grip when wet, PVC becomes slippery

PropertyPVC CoatingSilicone Coating
Dry Grip Performance (ASTM D1894)Excellent (COF 0.5–0.6)Good (COF 0.4–0.5)
Wet Grip PerformancePoor (drops 30–40%)Consistent (maintains 85–90%)
Temperature Range (ASTM D2000)Normal use (-10°C to 60°C)Extreme conditions (-60°C to 250°C)
CostBudget-friendlyPremium pricing
Food Safety (FDA 21 CFR 177.2600)Not food-gradeFDA approved
Best ApplicationsIndoor, dry environmentsOutdoor, food, medical

Design Takeaway: Choose PVC coatings for maximum grip at lowest cost in dry, controlled environments. Select silicone coatings for high-grip textile for industrial use requiring reliable performance in wet conditions, extreme temperatures, or food-contact applications.

Plastic coating webbing rolls

When Does Rubber Strip Integration Outperform Surface Coatings?

Rubber strip integration outperforms surface coatings when you need permanent grip that won’t wear off, making it ideal for high-flex fatigue environments, safety equipment, and applications where coating failure poses risks.

Quick Overview:

  • Permanence – Built into webbing structure, can’t peel or wear off 
  • Heavy-duty use – No coating layer to damage through repeated use 
  • Bend resistanceLow elongation under load (<5%), maintains grip through constant flexing
  •  Manufacturing – Integrated during weaving process 
  • Reliability – No adhesive to fail under stress

When Integration Works Better: These reinforced polymer straps have tensile strength between 500 and 1,000 lbs and will not stretch appreciably, making them perfect for load-bearing applications where grip must remain consistent throughout the product’s life.

Superior Applications:

  • High-flex fatigue environments: Backpack straps, tool belts, climbing gear
  • Harsh environments: Marine equipment (ISO 9227 salt spray resistant), industrial applications
  • Safety-critical: Fall protection, lifting straps, rescue equipment
  • Chemical exposure: Applications involving cleaning or chemical contact

Key Advantages:

  • Durability: Nothing to wear away or peel off
  • Consistency: Same grip performance across entire webbing width
  • Reliability: Mechanical attachment eliminates coating failure

 

ASTM D6770 hex bar abrasion testing measures webbing resistance to wear, while ASTM D751 coating adhesion testing validates that integrated strips maintain performance where surface coatings fail over time.

FeatureSurface CoatingsRubber Strip Integration
Durability (ASTM D6770)Wears off over timePermanent, built-in
Flexibility (ASTM D751)Can crack with bendingFlexes with webbing
Manufacturing CostLower initial costHigher upfront investment
Service Life1–3 years typical5–10+ years
MaintenanceMay need recoatingNo maintenance required
Failure ModePeeling, crackingWebbing failure only
Best ForLight-duty, temporaryHeavy-duty, permanent

Design Takeaway: Use rubber strip integration for coated vs integrated grip systems for webbing requiring long-term reliability, especially safety equipment, heavy-use applications, or environments where coating failure could cause problems.

What Grip Performance Do Different Texture Depths Provide?

Deeper textures provide better grip performance: shallow textures work for light handling, medium textures meet industrial safety standards, and deep aggressive patterns deliver maximum slip resistance for safety-critical applications.

Quick Overview: 

  • Shallow texture (0.5-1mm) – Light grip improvement for general handling
  • Medium texture (1-2mm) – Strong industrial grip, meets OSHA 0.5 COF minimum 
  • Deep texture (2-4mm)Maximum grip exceeding safety standards
  • Pattern types – Diamond, large domed grip nodes, cross-hatch, herringbone designs  Performance – Deeper = more surface contact = better grip

Texture Performance: Aggressive bumpy grip patterns with thick 1/4″ coatings have big hemispheric shaped dots molded onto the surface that create friction when contacting many surfaces. These large domed grip nodes provide maximum slip resistance even in challenging conditions.

Pattern Design Options:

  • Diamond patterns: Good all-around grip, moderate cost
  • Herringbone: Directional advantage for belts and straps
  • Large domed grip nodes: Best wet-weather performance
  • Cross-hatch: Balanced grip and flexibility

OSHA recommends a coefficient of friction of 0.5 for proper slip resistance. Medium textures easily exceed this requirement under ASTM D1894 test conditions, while deep textures provide extra safety margin for critical applications.

Manufacturing Options:

  • Molded patterns: Consistent depth, higher quality
  • Embossed textures: Variable depth, lower cost
  • Deep textures: Require specialized tools but deliver maximum performance

AttributeShallowMediumDeep
COF Range (Dry/Wet)0.45–0.500.55–0.700.70–0.95+
OSHA ComplianceMeets minimum (0.5)Exceeds standardMaximum safety
Manufacturing ComplexitySimpleModerateComplex
Test StandardsBasic grip testingASTM D6770 abrasionFull safety certification

Design Takeaway: Select shallow textures for cost-effective general use, medium textures for non-slip webbing for safety equipment requiring OSHA compliance, and deep aggressive patterns for maximum grip in safety-critical or wet environments where exceeding industry standards is essential.

pvc coated webbing rolls

Which Non-Slip Coatings Resist Water and Temperature Extremes?

Silicone coatings resist the widest temperature range (-60°C to 250°C) and provide excellent water resistance, while TPU coatings offer good flexibility and water resistance up to 80°C, making both superior to PVC for extreme conditions.

Silicone maintains performance at extreme temperatures while TPU starts melting at 80°C, making material selection critical for environmental exposure. Flexible PVC has a broad operating temperature range and resistance to sunlight, abrasion, oils, and chemicals, though performance degrades in harsh conditions.

Water Resistance Performance: Silicone coated webbing provides high heat resistance, extreme flexibility, and chemical resistance for demanding applications. TPU maintains flexibility when exposed to moisture, making both materials suitable for outdoor applications requiring consistent grip performance.

Environmental Applications:

  • Marine environments: Silicone resists salt water exposure
  • Outdoor equipment: Both materials handle UV exposure better than PVC
  • Chemical exposure: Silicone demonstrates broad compatibility
  • Temperature cycling: Performance maintained across seasonal variations

 

Design Takeaway: Choose silicone for maximum environmental resistance across all conditions, TPU for outdoor applications requiring flexibility, and upgraded PVC formulations only for mild environmental exposure where cost is the primary concern.

What Standards Apply to Non-Slip Webbing for Safety Equipment?

Key standards for safety equipment non-slip webbing include ASTM D6775 for breaking strength, ASTM D6770 for abrasion resistance, ANSI Z359.13 for fall protection, and EN 355 for energy absorption, plus industry-specific requirements.

Fall Protection Standards: Dynamic webbing testing encompasses comprehensive energy-absorbing testing standards, including ASSP/ANSI Z359.13, CSA Z259.11-17, EN 355, ABNT NBR 14629, and AS/NZS 1891. These standards specify performance requirements for safety-critical applications.

Structural Requirements: Webbing must demonstrate adequate breaking strength, elongation limits, and dimensional stability under load. Testing protocols verify compliance with applicable safety requirements before equipment certification.

Additional Compliance Areas:

  • Breaking strength: Load capacity verification
  • Abrasion resistance: Long-term durability assessment
  • Environmental stability: Performance under operating conditions
  • Grip consistency: Maintained performance throughout service life

Design Takeaway: Identify all applicable safety standards early in development, budget for comprehensive testing, and work with certified testing facilities to ensure full compliance before market introduction.

pvc coated webbing

How Do You Test Non-Slip Performance Before Production?

Test non-slip performance using ASTM D1894 coefficient of friction measurement, ASTM D6770 abrasion testing, real-world application trials, and accelerated durability testing under wet, dry, and contaminated conditions.

Laboratory Testing: ASTM D1894 and ISO 8295 are international standards for determining the coefficient of friction of plastic films and coatings. Testing includes dry, wet, and contaminated surface conditions to establish baseline performance data.

Application Validation: Real-world testing with target applications provides practical performance feedback. User evaluation includes grip effectiveness during handling, tactile feedback quality, and performance under actual operating conditions.

Durability Assessment: ASTM D6770 hex bar abrasion testing measures webbing resistance to wear expressed as percentage of retained breaking strength. Testing protocols validate grip retention through repeated use cycles.

Production Criteria:

  • Performance consistency: Uniform grip levels across sample batches
  • Durability confirmation: Maintained performance over expected service life
  • User acceptance: Positive feedback from application trials
  • Quality verification: Validated production processes for consistent results

 

Design Takeaway: Implement comprehensive testing protocols early in development, validate performance under actual use conditions, and establish clear acceptance criteria before committing to full production to ensure market success.

Conclusion

Non-slip webbing selection depends on application requirements: PVC for cost-effective indoor use, silicone for extreme conditions, rubber integration for permanent grip, and appropriate texture depth for safety compliance. Each method offers distinct performance advantages for specific environments and durability needs. Contact us to explore manufacturing solutions tailored to your non-slip webbing requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, silicone and TPU coatings maintain consistent grip in rain, snow, and temperature changes. Silicone works from -60°C to 250°C, making it ideal for outdoor gear, camping equipment, and sports accessories.

Quality coatings won’t peel when properly applied. However, rubber strip integration eliminates peeling risk entirely – recommended for high-use products like backpacks, tool belts, or safety equipment.

Light handling products need basic texture, outdoor gear requires medium grip, and safety equipment needs maximum grip levels. We can recommend optimal solutions based on your specific product application and user requirements.

Yes, all coating types accept custom color matching to your brand palette. Silicone offers the widest color range and maintains color stability longer than PVC or TPU options.

PVC offers the strongest grip at lowest cost for indoor products. TPU provides good outdoor performance at moderate pricing. Silicone delivers premium performance but costs 40-60% more – best for high-end products.

Our minimum order quantity is 1000 meters for custom non-slip webbing. This allows us to maintain cost efficiency while providing high-quality custom solutions for your specific product requirements.

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