Your questions about anti-slip mats answered.
Anti-slip mats are a key element of professional load securing during transport. They significantly increase friction between the load surface and the cargo, helping to effectively reduce securing forces and lashing equipment. When used correctly, they greatly improve transport safety on trucks, vans, and trailers.
Table of contents.
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- Basics & function
- Is an anti‑slip mat a load securing device?
- What is the purpose of an anti‑slip mat according to VDI 2700 Sheet 14/15?
- How do anti‑slip mats affect friction?
- What can be used as a non‑slip base?
- Costs
- Rules & standards
- Material & quality
- Which materials are used?
- Properties of coated foam anti‑slip mats
- Why are compression behavior and deformation important?
- Tensile and shear strength
- Dimensions & usage
- How large and thick should an anti‑slip mat be?
- What must be considered regarding operating temperature?
- How must anti‑slip mats be used?
- How do one‑sided loads affect performance?
- What happens if the wrong mat is selected or if it is overloaded?
- Friction & lashing forces
- Which friction coefficients are realistic?
- How does friction affect the number of lashing devices required?
- Why do smooth loading surfaces require more lashing devices?
- How do friction values of different base materials compare?
- Cleaning & maintenance
- Can anti‑slip mats be cleaned with any cleaning agent?
- How do I keep anti‑slip mats in good condition?
- Discard criteria / damage patterns
Basic knowledge & function
Is an anti‑slip mat a load securing device?
Yes. It is classified as a friction‑enhancing aid for load securing and must be used in combination with suitable lashing equipment. It reduces the required pre‑tensioning force and/or the number of lashing devices needed. As such, it plays a key role in load securing on trucks, vans, trailers, etc.
What is the purpose of an anti‑slip mat according to VDI 2700 Sheet 14 / Sheet 15 ?
In combination with lashing equipment, it prevents the load from slipping, increases adhesion between the loading surface and the cargo, reduces lashing forces, and ensures a stable unit between vehicle and load.
How do anti‑slip mats affect friction?
Anti‑slip mats typically increase the coefficient of sliding friction to μ ≈ 0.6. This makes the load significantly more stable during braking or evasive maneuvers. However, the load can still tip over, because higher friction reduces slipping but does not absorb lateral forces. For this reason, lashing equipment is still required – albeit with lower pre‑tensioning force than without an anti‑slip mat.
What can be used as a non‑slip base for load securing?
Only genuine anti‑slip mats in accordance with VDI 2700 Sheet 14 / Sheet 15.
Construction protection mats, rubber offcuts, conveyor belt remnants,
or other untested materials are not suitable.
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Costs
How much does an anti‑slip mat roll cost?
The prices for an anti‑slip mat roll or a cut‑to‑size piece vary depending on thickness, material, and length. Sold by the meter is usually cheaper than purchasing multiple individual cut pieces.
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Rules & standards
When are anti‑slip mats mandatory?
There is no general legal requirement. In practice, however, their use is always recommended, as they significantly increase transport safety.
Which regulations apply to anti‑slip mats?
There is no binding standard specifically for anti‑slip mats. Guidelines such as VDI 2700 represent the “state of the art” and are therefore used for legal assessments regarding adequate load securing. VDI 2700 Sheet 14 (coefficient of sliding friction) and Sheet 15 (friction‑enhancing materials) define anti‑slip mats in detail.
Material & quality
Which materials are used for granular anti‑slip mats?
Mostly vulcanized rubber compounds, compacted with PU binders.
The fewer voids the material contains, the higher the quality (solid rubber).
What properties do coated foam anti‑slip mats have?
- Tested friction coefficients (e.g. μ = 0.7–0.8)
- Reusable multiple times
- Partially recyclable
- Often tested by DEKRA
Why are compression behavior and deformation important?
Mats that deform too easily (high proportion of voids) lose friction performance under heavy loads. Deformation of > 30 % is critical, as this can cause damage in the form of permanent indentations. According to VDI 2700 Sheet 14/15, slight (elastic) deformation can even have a positive effect on load securing. The resulting indentation can help prevent the load from slipping in addition to the friction factor. The strength of the anti‑slip mat is therefore an important quality criterion.
Which requirements apply to tensile and shear strength?
Heavy or tilting loads generate high shear forces.
Our high‑quality DoMatt anti‑slip mats achieve approx.
0.6 N/mm² tensile/shear strength and
≥ 60 % elongation at break.
Dimensions & application
What size and thickness should an anti‑slip mat have?
There is no standard size – the decisive factors are:
- The mat must cover all contact surfaces.
- Cut pieces or strips are sufficient if they cover the load‑bearing points / contact surfaces (e.g. of a Euro pallet).
- For heavy loads: at least 8 mm thickness, as permanent deformation can occur if mats are compressed by more than 30 %. As a guideline, the maximum surface load can be used, i.e. the maximum weight per area that may be applied to the anti‑slip mat (depending on material and thickness). For Dolezych mats, this is specified in the respective product description.
What must be considered regarding the operating temperature of anti‑slip mats?
Temperature resistance is also crucial for reliable use and varies depending on the product. To ensure that material properties and friction coefficients remain stable in cold or hot conditions (provided the mats are clean, dry, and undamaged), temperature resistance must be checked before use.
How must anti‑slip mats be used on trucks, trailers, vans, and similar vehicles?
- The load‑bearing points / contact surfaces of the cargo must be fully positioned on the mat, and the load must not additionally touch the vehicle floor, so that the friction coefficient applies to the entire load.
- Mats must not overlap. No unevenness may occur, as this would cause uneven load distribution.
- The surface must be dry and clean: remove ice, grease, oil, sand, gravel, or dust from both the loading surface and the mat.
How do one‑sided loads or tilting movements affect anti‑slip mats?
They generate high shear forces. Inferior mats may abrade or disintegrate under such loads. Our high‑quality mats withstand these stresses significantly better.
What happens if the wrong mat is selected or if the mat is overloaded?
- The mat deforms permanently (elastic deformation is desired, see the section Why are compression behavior and deformation important?)
- Material tears or crumbles
- Friction coefficient decreases
- The entire load securing system is compromised
Friction & lashing forces
Which friction coefficients are realistically achievable?
In practice, values usually range between μ = 0.5 and 0.65. Higher stated friction coefficients can often only be achieved under laboratory conditions and are therefore not realistic for real‑world use.
How does friction influence the required number of lashing devices?
The lower the friction, the more lashing devices are required.
Higher friction coefficients reduce the lashing force needed for proper load securing
and therefore also reduce the number of required lashing devices.
Why do smooth loading surfaces without anti‑slip mats require so many lashing devices?
Because the friction coefficient is very low in these cases (e.g. μ = 0.2), the load slips more easily and therefore must be secured much more extensively.
How do friction coefficients differ between various base surfaces?
- Without a mat: very low friction coefficient → high securing effort
- Anti‑slip mats with a low friction coefficient: moderate friction → slightly reduced securing effort
- Tested anti‑slip mat: μ ≈ 0.6 → significant reduction in required lashing devices
Cleaning & maintenance
Can DoMatt anti‑slip mats be cleaned with any disinfectant or dishwashing liquid?
No. Cleaning with disinfectants or dishwashing liquid is not permitted. The bonding agent may loosen, causing a loss of stability and slip resistance, or a slippery film may form on the surface. The mat must be cleaned exclusively with clean water.
How can I keep anti‑slip mats in good condition?
- Clean regularly with clean water. Cleaning agents must not be used for maintenance. They may chemically react with the material of the anti‑slip mat or even reduce the coefficient of friction by leaving a slippery film.
- Store dry
- Inspect for damage after each use
- Remove damaged mats from service immediately
- Keep contact surfaces clean (remove dirt, grease, ice, etc.)
End of service life / damage patterns
When must anti‑slip mats no longer be used?
In the event of:
- Permanent deformation or pressure marks
- Cracks or open areas
- Material separation or wear
- Damage in the contact area
- Function‑impairing contamination or oil
- Declining friction performance
- Severe aging (e.g. embrittlement)
- Chemical damage or damage caused by contact with aggressive substances