Silnylon
Encyclopedia
Silnylon, a portmanteau of "silicone
" and "nylon
", is a synthetic fabric used mainly in lightweight outdoor gear. It is made by impregnating a thin woven nylon fabric with liquid silicone from both sides. This makes it strong for its weight, as the silicone substantially improves the tear strength. It is also highly waterproof, but not breathable. Many colours are available.
It is used in the manufacture of backpacks, tarps and tarp tent
s, ditty bags, etc, particularly by ultralight backpackers
.
Silnylon comes in several main types. The common type is a quiet, silky, very slippery fabric. The variant known as "crisp silnylon" is lighter, but brittle, noisy, and tears easily. Some
versions are made from the stronger type 66 nylon and are used for parachutes, hot air balloons etc.
Some use a blend of silicone and urethane which is done partly to reduce the air pollution
during manufacture as it reduces the aromatic solvents used in the coating process.
Silicone
Silicones are inert, synthetic compounds with a variety of forms and uses. Typically heat-resistant and rubber-like, they are used in sealants, adhesives, lubricants, medical applications , cookware, and insulation....
" and "nylon
Nylon
Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers known generically as polyamides, first produced on February 28, 1935, by Wallace Carothers at DuPont's research facility at the DuPont Experimental Station...
", is a synthetic fabric used mainly in lightweight outdoor gear. It is made by impregnating a thin woven nylon fabric with liquid silicone from both sides. This makes it strong for its weight, as the silicone substantially improves the tear strength. It is also highly waterproof, but not breathable. Many colours are available.
It is used in the manufacture of backpacks, tarps and tarp tent
Tarp tent
A tarp tent is a tarpaulin, a plastic or nylon sheet, used in place of a tent. It is usually rigged with poles, tent pegs, and guy lines. Ultralight backpackers use tarp tents because they are lightweight compared to other backpacking shelters....
s, ditty bags, etc, particularly by ultralight backpackers
Ultralight backpacking
Ultralight backpacking is a style of backpacking that emphasizes carrying the lightest and simplest kit safely possible for a given trip. Base pack weight is reduced as much as safely possible, though reduction of the weight of...
.
Silnylon comes in several main types. The common type is a quiet, silky, very slippery fabric. The variant known as "crisp silnylon" is lighter, but brittle, noisy, and tears easily. Some
versions are made from the stronger type 66 nylon and are used for parachutes, hot air balloons etc.
Some use a blend of silicone and urethane which is done partly to reduce the air pollution
during manufacture as it reduces the aromatic solvents used in the coating process.