Families, Gauges & Options for OEM Programs

What we can build for your program: chain families, gauges, films, and FR options. Pick a family below or send a drawing and we will shortlist with you.

Chain Types

Read top to bottom. Each chain type lists what it is for, common gauges, construction, and options so you can shortlist before you call.

Molded

Our most popular family. Molded Delrin® teeth for bags, outdoor gear, marine soft goods, and OEM programs that need a sturdier tooth profile than coil.

Molded Delrin zipper chain product photo
Best For
Bags, outdoor gear, marine covers, awning and screen soft goods, and OEM programs that need a sturdier tooth profile than coil.
Gauges
Continuous chain and finished styles in #5, #8, #10, #12 marine, and #15 BIG ZIP®. #8 and #10 are our most popular. See Gauge, Tape Width & Strength below.
Construction
DuPont Delrin® acetal UV-stabilized teeth on UV-stable polyester tape for programs that see sun and outdoor wear.
Specialty
#12 marine: 1" tape, 316 stainless or standard metal sliders, heat-weldable option. BIG ZIP® #15: 1.250" tape with marine-grade 316 stainless slider options.
Common Specs
Separating and closed styles; color matching to your tape or sample; stainless or standard hardware; heat-weldable film for welding into coated fabric.
How to Order
Send gauge, length, style (separating/closed), tape width, color, slider type, and whether you need weldable film. A drawing or sample speeds quoting.

Gauge, Tape Width & Strength

Molded plastic chain: gauge, tape width, and crosswise pull strength
Gauge Tape Width Crosswise Pull Strength
55/8"106 pounds
53/4"112 pounds
83/4"130 pounds
103/4"155 pounds
121"203 pounds
151-1/4"328 pounds

Ask About Molded Chain →

Coil

Flexible polyester coil for soft goods, apparel, and technical sewn products when you want smooth operation and a lighter closure.

Coil zipper chain product photo
Best For
Soft goods, apparel, cases, and technical sewn products where flexibility and hand feel matter more than a heavy molded tooth.
Gauges
Continuous chain in #2, #4.5, #5, #7, #8, and #10; finished styles in #5 and #10 only (other gauges are chain sold by the spool). #5 is our most popular. See Gauge, Tape Width & Strength below.
Construction
Polyester monofilament coil on texturized woven polyester tape for smooth operation and a lighter closure.
Related Lines
RainDefyer® coated coil for moisture (see Water-Resistant). Heat-weldable film available when the tape has to weld into coated fabric.
Common Specs
Closed and separating styles; multiple tape widths and colors.
How to Order
Share gauge, length or continuous-chain preference, style, color, slider lock type, and any coating or weldable requirement.

Gauge, Tape Width & Strength

Coil chain: gauge, tape width, and crosswise pull strength
Gauge Tape Width Crosswise Pull Strength
27/16"136 pounds
4.55/8"154 pounds
4.53/4"164 pounds
4.51"164 pounds
53/4"273 pounds
51"289 pounds
73/4"222 pounds
83/4"268 pounds
103/4"286 pounds

Ask About Coil →

Metal

Strength and a traditional finish when the application calls for it, including FR metal programs on Nomex® tape.

Brass metal zipper chain product photo
Best For
Programs that want metal tooth strength, a classic look, or metal FR constructions on Nomex® tape for protective gear.
Gauges
Continuous chain and finished styles in #5 and #10, in brass and aluminum. See Gauge, Tape Width & Strength below.
Finishes
Brass, antique brass, black oxidized brass, and aluminum.
Construction
Polyester tape standard; Nomex® tape option for FR. Optional heat-weldable film for coated-fabric joins.
How to Order
Call out gauge, finish, tape (polyester or Nomex®), length, style, and any military or FR documentation you need with the quote.

Gauge, Tape Width & Strength

Metal chain: gauge, tape width, and crosswise pull strength
Gauge Tape Width Crosswise Pull Strength
5 Brass9/16"171 pounds
5 Brass3/4"181 pounds
5 Aluminum9/16"100 pounds
5 Aluminum3/4"94 pounds
10 Brass3/4"266 pounds
10 Aluminum3/4"152 pounds

Ask About Metal →

Fire-Resistant

FR zippers on Nomex® tape for protective and safety gear. Available as Molded Tooth (DuPont Zytel® FR resins) or Metal tooth (brass and black oxidized brass).

Plastic fire-resistant zipper chain product photo
Best For
Protective apparel, safety gear, and FR soft goods that need a certified FR zipper path through qualification.
Gauges
#5 and #10 for both molded and metal FR constructions.
Teeth
Molded Tooth: plastic resin (DuPont Zytel® FR). Metal: brass or black oxidized brass. Spec either path on the same Nomex® tape program.
Tape
DuPont Nomex®. Widths 9/16" and 3/4".
Certification
Nomex® FR zippers are UL certified. Request the current UL documentation for your program before you lock a BOM.
Common Specs
Separating and closed styles; FR-compatible sliders and hardware; lengths cut to your drawing.
How to Order
Tell us the end use, gauge, tooth type (Molded Tooth / Zytel® FR or metal brass), tape width, length, and which UL or customer spec sheets you need attached to the quote.

Ask About FR →

Water-Resistant (RainDefyer®)

RainDefyer® coated coil zippers keep moisture out in marine and outdoor use. America's Seaworthy Zippers® speaks to covers, cushions, and soft goods that face sun, salt, and spray.

Coil water-resistant RainDefyer zipper chain product photo
Best For
Marine soft goods, outdoor gear, and coated-fabric programs that need better moisture resistance than a standard coil.
Core Spec
RainDefyer® polyurethane-coated coil. Continuous chain in #5, #7, #8, and #10; finished styles in #5 and #10 only (#7/#8 are chain and sliders, no finished assemblies). Production finishes include shiny and matte (Water Resistant Shiny / Matte).
Hardware
Marine-grade 316 stainless slider and hardware options for sun, salt, and spray.
Tape
Widths 3/4" and 1"; UV resistant. Pair with America's Seaworthy Zippers® positioning for marine covers and cushions.
How to Order
Specify RainDefyer® (or WR shiny/matte), tape width, color, length or chain, slider finish, and the application so we can confirm the right coating path.

Ask About RainDefyer® →

Heat/RF Weldable

Heat weldable tape for coated and technical fabrics where the zipper joins by welding, not only sewing. Available as continuous chain or finished zippers.

Heat weldable zipper tape product photo
Best For
Coated fabrics, awnings and screens, covers, and technical builds where RF or heat welding is the primary join method, not only sewing.
Core Spec
Heat weldable film on molded, coil, or metal chain. Continuous chain in any gauge of the base chain type; finished styles follow that chain type (molded #5, #8, #10, #12, and #15; coil #5 and #10; metal #5 and #10). Other gauges are chain sold by the spool.
Construction
Thermoplastic adhesive film on tape for coil, molded, and metal constructions.
Process Window
Melt range about 130-135°C (260-280°F). Confirm your welder settings against a sample before full production.
How to Order
Share base chain type and gauge, film thickness, tape width, color, yardage or cut lengths, and your welding method (heat or RF).

Ask About Weldable →

How Specs Become Product

A clear path from your requirements to shipped zippers.

  1. Define SpecsSend family, gauge, style, application, quantity, and any drawing. We confirm what fits.
  2. SampleRequest a sample so you can check fit, slider action, and finish.
  3. ApproveApprove the sample and written specs. Production timing starts after approval.
  4. ProductionWe build to the approved spec.
  5. ShipFinished zippers or continuous chain ship to your plant.

Share drawings, materials, and application details and we will help you get from specs to production.

Request a Quote

Chain Types FAQ

Short answers for OEM buyers comparing families, gauges, and ordering.

What zipper families does Lenzip Manufacturing offer?

Coil, molded, metal, fire-resistant (Nomex® FR), water-resistant (RainDefyer®), heat/RF weldable, continuous chain, and custom assemblies.

Which RainDefyer® gauges are available?

Continuous chain in #5, #7, #8, and #10. Finished styles in #5 and #10 only. #7 and #8 are available as chain and sliders without finished assemblies.

How do I order custom zippers or continuous chain?

Send family, gauge, style, application, quantity, and timing through Contact. Approve a sample and specs before production.

Ready to Spec Your Zipper?

Tell us the family, application, and any drawings or samples you have. We will help you get the right zipper without the runaround.