New low cost, low weight, fairly easy way to greatly strengthen UL WP fabrics

Experiment was done on Membrane Silpoly, which imo/e is a pretty fragile fabric. Which made it a great fabric for this testing comparison.

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/reinforced-silpoly-mini-tarp-vs-non-reinforced-version-experiment-testing/#post-3598081

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/reinforced-silpoly-mini-tarp-vs-non-reinforced-version-experiment-testing/#post-3598082

Note that the non reinforced Membrane Silpoly mini tarp could not even begin to hold the 30 lb bucket, but the reinforced version not only held that no problem, but went on to hold twice as much weight, and still held strong.  That is quite an improvement in tensile strength.

The key is that the high strength cord is taking the majority of the pulling force. It’s just a matter of stabilizing and securing it well enough in connection with the main fabric.  Then the main fabric’s role becomes primarily just the WP barrier part.

At some point in the not so far future, I will be making a full sized, around 10’x10′ or so, square tarp out of RBTR’s new 7D Silnylon with this new composite like reinforcement application.  Since all the guy outs will be connected to the strong kevlar cord, and that is a non stretch material, it also means that one won’t have to worry about sag/re-tensioning the lines.

I’m thinking about possibly making Membrane Silpoly tarps out of this composite like reinforced materials blend and selling them for pretty reasonable.