Most hook and loop fasteners are made from synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester, or polypropylene. Nylon is the most common material in standard woven hook and loop, while polyester is used when greater resistance to ultraviolet exposure is useful, and polypropylene appears more often in certain molded hooks and specialty products.
The fastener itself has two mating sides: a rough hook side covered with small hooks and a soft loop side covered with small loops. When pressed together, the hooks catch in the loops to create a reusable closure.
Hook and Loop Materials at a Glance
| Material | Key Characteristics | Common Product Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Nylon | Lightweight, durable, quick-drying, and commonly used for standard woven hook and loop. It has less UV resistance than polyester. | VELCRO® Brand nylon hook |
| Polyester | Resistant to mildew, stretching, pilling, shrinking, and ultraviolet exposure. It is often selected where prolonged UV exposure is a concern. | DuraGrip® Brand polyester hook and loop |
| Polypropylene | Used more often in specialty products such as molded hook and some webbing. Product choices are more limited than standard nylon hook and loop. | Specialty hook and related products |
What Is Nylon Hook and Loop Made Of?
Nylon hook and loop is made from synthetic nylon fibers. In woven hook products such as VELCRO® Brand Hook 88, nylon monofilament is woven into the fastener and formed into the hook structure. Nylon is widely used because it is lightweight, durable, quick-drying, and suitable for many general fastening applications.
The loop side uses softer fibers that provide the surface for the hooks to engage. Standard nylon hook and loop remains one of the most common constructions for sew-on and adhesive-backed fasteners.
How Is Polyester Hook and Loop Different?
Polyester hook and loop works on the same basic hook-and-loop principle but uses polyester fiber instead of standard nylon. Polyester is particularly useful when the material will experience prolonged ultraviolet exposure.
Current DuraGrip® Brand polyester hook and loop provides a direct option for applications where polyester is preferred over standard nylon.
Where Is Polypropylene Used?
Polypropylene appears more often in specialty hook-and-loop products than in standard woven tape. Examples include molded plastic hook constructions and polypropylene webbing.
Because polypropylene product formats are more specialized, the exact construction should be selected according to the application rather than assuming it is interchangeable with standard nylon or polyester tape.
What About Adhesive-Backed Hook and Loop?
Adhesive backing is separate from the hook-and-loop fiber itself. A nylon or other hook-and-loop fastener can be combined with a pressure-sensitive adhesive to create a peel-and-stick product.
For example, current VELCRO® Brand adhesive-backed hook and loop uses nylon Hook 88 and Loop 1000 with adhesive backing. The correct adhesive still depends on the substrate and application.
Treated and Specialty Hook and Loop
Some hook-and-loop materials receive additional treatments or coatings to add a specific function. Examples discussed by HookandLoop.com include treatments intended to reduce fraying, fire-retardant constructions, and conductive materials coated with silver.
Current specialty options include electrically conductive hook and loop as well as other specialty hook-and-loop fasteners.
Specialty properties such as electrical conductivity, fire performance, temperature limits, or cycle life are product-specific. Review the applicable product documentation before selecting material for a technical application.
How Are Hook and Loop Fasteners Made?
The basic woven-hook process starts by forming loops from synthetic monofilament. On the hook side, those loops are cut so they become individual hooks. The mating loop side remains soft and looped so the hooks can engage it when the two surfaces are pressed together.
Hook and loop can then be supplied in several formats, including sew-on, peel-and-stick, and specialty constructions.
Choosing a Hook and Loop Material
Material selection should start with the application. Standard nylon is a common choice for general fastening. Polyester is worth considering when prolonged UV exposure matters. Specialty materials and treatments are available when the application calls for characteristics beyond standard hook and loop.
For a deeper material comparison, see the guide to nylon, polyester, and polypropylene hook and loop.
FAQ:
Q. What material is VELCRO® Brand hook and loop made from?
A. Many VELCRO® Brand woven fasteners are made from nylon, while polyester and other synthetic materials are also used for particular products and applications.
Q. What is standard hook and loop usually made from?
A. Nylon is the most common material for standard woven hook and loop. Polyester and polypropylene are also used in different product constructions.
Q. Is polyester hook and loop different from nylon?
A. Yes. Both use the same basic fastening principle, but polyester offers greater resistance to ultraviolet exposure, while nylon remains the more common material for standard hook and loop.
Q. Is peel-and-stick hook and loop made from adhesive?
A. The hook-and-loop material and adhesive are separate parts of the product. A woven fastener such as nylon hook and loop can have pressure-sensitive adhesive added to the backing to create a peel-and-stick version.
Q. How is the hook side made?
A. In the woven construction described here, synthetic monofilament is formed into loops and the loops on the hook side are cut to create individual hooks that engage with the softer loop side.
Q. Can hook and loop be made for specialty applications?
A. Yes. Specialty products can use different materials, coatings, adhesives, or treatments. Examples include polyester hook and loop, fire-retardant constructions, electrically conductive hook and loop, and molded hooks.
