Wstda-T-4 (2017)
Wstda-T-4 (2017)
Wstda-T-4 (2017)
For
Synthetic Webbing
Used For Tie Downs
WSTDA-T-4
TM
This Recommended Standard Specification has been formulated as a guide to users, manufacturers,
industry and government to insure the proper design, testing and inspection of webbing used for
Synthetic Web Tie Down Assemblies. The existence of this recommended standard specification
does not, however, prevent members of the Web Sling & Tie Down Association, Inc. and other
manufacturers from manufacturing or selling products not conforming to this standard.
FOREWORD
This Recommended Standard Specification applies to Nylon and Polyester synthetic webbing
used in the manufacturing of synthetic web tie downs and recommends the construction, identification
and marking of such webbings.
The exclusion from this Recommended Standard Specification of synthetic webbing of different synthetic
materials and capacities is not intended to preclude their use and shall not be interpreted in this manner.
Synthetic webbing made from materials or construction other than those detailed in this Recommended
Standard Specification shall be used in accordance with the recommendations of the webbing
manufacturer, tie down fabricator or qualified person. The specifications contained in this
Recommended Standard Specification for Synthetic Webbing used for Tie downs were formulated under
the auspices of the Web Sling & Tie Down Association, Inc. This Recommended Standard Specification is
intended to assist manufacturers of webbing and tie downs, to serve as a guide to governmental and other
regulatory bodies responsible for the selection of synthetic webbing used in tie downs.
Safety is the paramount consideration involved in the use of any synthetic webbing for tie down purposes.
This standard does not purport to address all safety concerns, if any, associated with the use of synthetic
webbing or tie downs. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
health practices and determine the applicability of the regulatory limitations prior to use. The appropriate
synthetic webbing shall be selected by the user for their specific applications. Users shall be
knowledgeable about federal, state, provincial, local, and industry regulations applicable to web tie
downs constructed of synthetic webbing.
1.2.1 Synthetic webbing used in web tie downs is a high-tenacity narrow fabric woven in a
variety of weaves and principally used for tie downs that have to withstand tensile load.
ABRASION - The mechanical wearing of the webbing surface resulting from frictional contact with
other materials or objects.
BINDER - Yarn that is used to hold the two plies together in the tie down webbing.
BREAKING STRENGTH - The load in pounds or kilograms at which the webbing fails while being
stretched or pulled (also known as tensile strength).
CATCH CORD - Yarn used to lock and prevent raveling of the weft yarn on needle weaving
machinery.
CREEP - Delayed deformation that is time-dependent and is exhibited by material that is subjected to
a continuing load. Delayed deformation may be recoverable or non-recoverable following removal of
the applied load.
DENIER - A numbering system which expresses the weight in grams of a multifilament yarn that is
9000 meters in length. Lower numbers represent finer sizes of a filament yarn and higher numbers
represent coarser sizes of filament yarn.
FILLING - The yarn running from selvedge to selvedge perpendicular to the warp. Also referred to
as weft and/or picks.
HIGH TENACITY - Higher than normal tensile strength with a range of 6.0 to 9.5 grams per denier
as compared to regular tenacity of lower than 6.0 grams per denier.
NEEDLE LOOM - A weaving machine in which a needle, rather than a shuttle, is used for weft insertion.
PICKS - The yarn running from selvedge to selvedge perpendicular to the warp. Also referred to as
weft and/or filling.
SELVEDGE / SELVAGE - The narrow edge of a woven fabric that runs parallel to the warp.
SHUTTLE LOOM - A weaving machine having a boat-shaped device usually made of wood with a
metal tip that carries filling yarns through the shed in the weaving process.
STUFFER - A longitudinal load bearing yarn in webbing. Yarns running in the warp direction through
a woven fabric to increase the fabric’s strength and weight.
SURFACE PLIES - Exterior or outside plies of a plied weave, sometimes referred to as face or back
ply of the weave.
SYSTEM 3 AND SYSTEM 5 - Specific weaving techniques woven into the edge of the webbing to
reduce raveling.
TIE DOWN - Any combination of fittings, webbing and tensioners forming an assembly that attaches
to vehicle and cargo anchor / attachment points. Tie downs are used for securing articles of cargo to
a vehicle or restraining articles of cargo from movement on a vehicle. Reference Recommended
Standard for Synthetic Web Tie Downs, WSTDA-T-1.
TREATED WEBBING - Webbing to which a chemical treatment has been applied which offers some
degree of protection against an environmental or mechanical hazard.
WARP - The set of yarn in all woven fabrics that run lengthwise and parallel to the selvedge and is
interwoven with the filling.
WEFT - The yarn running from selvedge to selvedge perpendicular to the warp. Also referred to as
picks and/or filling.
WOVEN - Refers to a fabric composed of at least two sets of yarns, warp and filling, which is then
formed by weaving. It is the interlacing of these sets of yarns.
YARN - A continuous strand of textile fibers or filaments in a form suitable for knitting, weaving
or otherwise intertwining to form a textile fabric.
2
CHAPTER 2.0
CONSTRUCTION OF SYNTHETIC TIE DOWN WEBBING
SECTION 2.1 PURPOSE
2.1.1 This chapter provides an outline of materials and construction characteristics of synthetic
tie down webbing.
2.2.2 Yarns may be twisted or flat (not twisted) and composed of commercially available deniers.
2.2.3 Nylon yarn used in the manufacturing of tie down webbing shall be high tenacity, continuous
multifilament.
2.2.4 Polyester yarn used in the manufacturing of tie down webbing shall be high tenacity,
continuous multifilament.
Polyester webbing is typically used in systems where low elongation and low creep are
desirable. Polyester’s higher density allows thinner webbing than nylon (at equal strength).
Polyester webbing has better natural resistance to moisture than nylon, although some
over coatings allow approximately equal performance of both types. Polyester is generally
more resistant to acids than nylon.
Nylon webbing is also used in many applications where shock absorption properties are
important because nylon webbing has higher elongation than polyester webbing of the
same construction and strength. Nylon webbing has better natural abrasion resistance
properties than polyester webbing, although some over coatings allow approximately
equal performance of both types. Nylon is generally more resistant to most alkalis than
polyester.
2.3.4 Webbing woven on a needle loom shall be woven with selvedge construction utilizing
a System 3 or 5 (or other suitable means as determined by the manufacturer) catch cord
on the woven edge.
3
2.3.5 Webbing shall be certifiable as to tensile strength and have uniform thickness and width,
and have selvedges.
2.3.7 Markers shall be used to indicate strength rating of webbing as shown in Figures 1
and 2. A clearly discernible, single line marker (either solid or broken), centered on
at least one face of the webbing shall indicate a minimum breaking strength of 5000 lbs.
per inch of webbing width. See Figure 1.
Figure 1.
A clearly discernible double line marker (either solid or broken), centered on at least
one face of the webbing shall indicate a minimum breaking strength of 6000 lbs. per inch of
webbing width. See Figure 2.
Figure 2.
(Webbing commonly used to secure cargo that will be transported inside a closed
vehicle, such as a cargo van, shall be exempt from this requirement.)
2.3.8 All webbing cut pieces shall be sealed by heat, or other suitable means to prevent raveling.
4
SECTION 2.4 TREATMENTS
2.4.1 Synthetic tie down webbing may be treated with suitable materials that will impart
desirable characteristics such as:
a. Abrasion resistance
b. Moisture resistance
c. Sealing to prevent penetration of foreign particles and matter
d. Increased coefficient of friction
e. Ultraviolet light resistance
CHAPTER 3.0
STANDARD PROCEDURES FOR TESTING SYNTHETIC WEBBING
SECTION 3.1 PURPOSE
3.1.1 This chapter provides standard procedures for testing synthetic webbing used for tie downs.
3.2.3 ELONGATION - A test of the webbing to determine the elongation of the webbing under load.
3.2.4 OTHER - If additional test(s) are required, they shall be specified by the purchaser.
3.3.4 The webbing manufacturer or an independent testing laboratory shall perform the testing of
synthetic webbing for tie downs.
5
CHAPTER 4.0
RECOMMENDED OPERATING PRACTICES
SECTION 4.1 PURPOSE
4.1.1 The purpose of this chapter is to provide guidelines for the care, use and inspection of
synthetic webbing for tie downs.
4.2.2 Environments in which synthetic webbing are continuously exposed to ultraviolet light can
affect the strength in varying degrees, ranging from slight to total degradation.
4.2.3 Polyester and nylon webbing shall not be used at temperatures in excess of 194 degrees F
(90 degrees C) or below minus 40 degrees F (-40 degrees C).
4.4.1 Webbing manufacturer and tie down manufacturer should maintain material inspection records.
This Recommended Standard Specification has been formulated as a guide to users, manufacturers,
industry and government to insure the proper design, testing and inspection of webbing used for
Synthetic Web Tie Down Assemblies. The existence of this recommended standard specification
does not, however, prevent members of the Web Sling & Tie Down Association, Inc. and other
manufacturers from manufacturing or selling products not conforming to this standard.
6
OTHER WEB SLING & TIE DOWN ASSOCIATION PUBLICATIONS
Recommended Standard Specifications: Recommended Test Methods:
UV Degradation Reports
Summary Report UV Degradation WSTDA-UV-Sling-2003
UV Degradation Mini Manual WSTDA-UV-MM-2005
UV Degradation Report WSTDA-UVDR-1981 (Revised 2005)
Training CD-Rom
North America Cargo Securement Standard WSTDA-CD-TP-2003
TM
7
NOTES
TM
8
NOTES
TM