Nylon slings and weather and sunlight

I am curious, I have been practicing some aid, rope management, hauling and etc. in a tree in my backyard and I am curious how long 1" nylon webbing will remain safe up tied around the limbs of the trees? With sunlight and weathering and all? THank you.

it depends. with a lot of intense, direct sunlight the nylon weakens more rapidly than areas that have more overcast conditions and lots of leaves on the trees to create shadows.

when the color on the nylon fades significantly (or altogether) you'll probably want to question its strength. if it's not faded and still feels soft and supple you're most likely good to go.

double it up or use a piece of static line if you want to be extra conservative.

FWIW, I had a slackline (1" tubular nylon) strung up under pretty high tension (it was about 60 feet long, cranked it down with a winch) for about 9 months, in direct sunlight, through a New England winter. I only use it for slacklining, but it hasn't broken yet.

It seems that nylon degradation under ultraviolet is something that happens over the course of a few years, not months, though this is just a general observation. Throw a backup on there just in case, and replace yearly. Webbing is cheap, life isn't.

put some sunscreen on it. Make sure it is broad spectrum

Tyler Gagne wrote:I am curious, I have been practicing some aid, rope management, hauling and etc. in a tree in my backyard and I am curious how long 1" nylon webbing will remain safe up tied around the limbs of the trees? With sunlight and weathering and all? THank you.

A number of years back my partner and I cleaned a bunch of tat form a climb. For kicks we tested it for strength at his workplace. I can't remember exact numbers, but the following is pretty close. New 1" tubular webbing, and some older 1" which was stored properly broke at the knot at about 4000lbs or over. The older tat went at anywhere from 3000lbs. down to 700lbs. The 700lb snap did not occur at the knot. Most of the faded stuff broke well below 2000lbs. How long that tat was out there is anyone's guess.

If it's faded, don't trust it.

yea once you start losing color you have to be suspect.

Nylon cord however is a completely different thing. I routinely cut old rope and cord off of climbs around where I live. Recently I cut off a bunch that has been on the wall in Thailand since 1987. FYI, Stainless steel expansion bolts can be knocked off of this same wall with a hammer after about 5 years.

I haven't had any of the stuff tested but every time I cut one open I am amazed at how pristine the core is. I mean it is COMPLETELY BRAND NEW LOOKING! I for one have taken BIG lead falls on dynamic threads and 6 mm cord that were probabyl 10 years old. I'd be interested to see how it held up under forces. I'd be willing to bet that it would get pretty close to 20kN.

Similar experience as Ryan with old ropes. Cut open an old but not sheath worn Mammut rope this spring, from 1975. Sheath was stiff, almost crusty but the inner fibers looked and felt like brand new. Have used 1 inch nylon for a similar aid anchor in trees, and in direct sun on hot roof of building here in midwest. Left it out there all year round and used it for over 8 years before I changed it out due to fade. The ultraviolet damage danger is so much worse at altitude in Colorado or anywhere over 6,000 ft I would suppose.