|
ROPE
CONSTRUCTION SELECTION GUIDE
|
CHARACTERISTICS
|
SOLID
BRAID
|
HOLLOW
BRAID
|
DOUBLE
BRAID
|
DIAMOND
BRAID
|
TWISTED
|
| Number
of Strands or Carriers |
9,
12 or 18
|
8,
12 or 16
|
16,
24 or 32
|
8
or 16
|
3
|
| Spliceable |
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
| Strength
to Weight |
5
|
2
|
1
|
4
|
3
|
| Flexibility |
3
|
1
|
2
|
4
|
5
|
| Flattens
Under Load |
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
| Rotates
Under Load |
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
| Mechanical
Elongation |
1
|
4
|
5
|
3
|
2
|
| Cost
Per Size |
2
|
4
|
1
|
3
|
5
|
| Working
Load (as a % of TensileL) |
15-20%
|
15-20%
|
15-20%
|
15-20%
|
8-14%
|
| Abrasion
Resistance |
1
|
5
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
| *WARNING:
This
guide is designed for general reference only. The construction
comparisons assume using the same rope fiber and size. Expert
advice should be sought when choosing a rope where protection
of life or property is involved. |
|
|
|
|
|
ROPE
FIBER SELECTION GUIDE: Fiber Properties- Typical Values
| CHARACTERISTICS |
Manila
|
Sisal
|
Hemp
|
Jute
|
Coir
|
Cotton
|
Nylon
|
Polyester
|
Poly-
propylene
|
Poly-
ethylene
|
Kevlar(1)
|
Spectra
(2)
|
STRENGTH:
Breaking Tenacity- Dry (grams/ denier)
Wet Strength vs. Dry Strength
Shock-load Absorption Ability |
5.0-6.0
Up to 120%
Poor
|
4.0-5.0
Up to 120%
Poor
|
4.0-5.0
Up to 120%
Poor
|
4.0-5.0
Up to 120%
Poor
|
4.0-5.0
Up to 120%
Poor
|
2.0-3.0
Up to 120 %
Very Poor
|
7.0-9.5
85-90%
Excellent
|
7.0-9.5
100%
Good
|
6.5
100%
Very Good
|
6.0
100%
Fair
|
18-26.5
95%
Poor
|
30.0
100%
Fair
|
WEIGHT:
Specific Gravity
Floats |
1.38
No
|
1.38
No
|
1.38
No
|
1.38
No
|
1.38
No
|
1.54
No
|
1.14
No
|
1.38
No
|
0.91
No
|
0.95
No
|
1.44
No
|
0.97
No
|
ELONGATION:
Percent at Break
Creep (extension under
sustained load) |
10-12%
Very Low
|
10-12%
Very Low
|
10-12%
Very Low
|
10-12%
Very Low
|
10-12%
Very Low
|
5-12%
Very Low
|
18-25%
Moderate
|
12-15%
Low
|
15-25%
High
|
15-25%
High
|
1.5-3.6%
Very Low
|
3.5%
Moderate
|
EFFECTS
OF MOISTURE:
Water Absorp. of Indiv. Fibers
Dielectric Properties |
Up to 100%
Very Poor
|
Up
to 100%
Very Poor
|
Up
to 100%
Very Poor
|
Up
to 100%
Very Poor
|
Up
to 100%
Very Poor
|
Up to 100%
Very Poor
|
2.8%
Poor
|
<1%
Good
|
None
Excellent
|
None
Excellent
|
3.5-7.0%
Poor
|
None
Excellent
|
|
Storage Requirements
|
Dry Only
|
Dry Only
|
Dry
Only
|
Dry
Only
|
Dry
Only
|
Dry Only
|
Wet or Dry
|
Wet or Dry
|
Wet or Dry
|
Wet or Dry
|
Wet or Dry
|
Wet or Dry
|
ROPE
ABRASION RESISTANCE:
Surface
|
Good
|
Fair
|
Fair
|
Fair
|
Fair
|
Poor
|
Very Good
|
Excellent
|
Good
|
Good
|
Fair
|
Very Good
|
| Internal |
Fair
|
Fair
|
Fair
|
Fair
|
Fair
|
Fair
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Good
|
Good
|
Fair
|
Excellent
|
THERMAL
PROPERTIES:
Melts at |
Does
not melt
Chars at 350°
|
Does
not melt
Chars at 350°
|
Does
not melt
Chars at 350°
|
Does
not melt
Chars at 350°
|
Does
not melt
Chars at 350°
|
Does
not melt
Chars at 300°
|
420°-480°
|
490°-500°
|
330°
|
275°
|
800°-
Begins to Decompose
|
297°
|
|
Resistance to Acids |
Poor
|
Poor
|
Poor
|
Poor
|
Poor
|
Poor
|
Fair
|
Good
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Fair
|
Excellent
|
| Resistance
to Alkalis |
Poor
|
Poor
|
Poor
|
Poor
|
Poor
|
Fair
|
Very
Good
|
Fair
Very
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Fair
|
Excellent
|
|
Resistance to Oils and Gas |
Poor
|
Fair
|
Poor
|
Poor
|
Poor
|
Poor
|
Very Good
|
Good
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
DEGRADATION:
Resistance to UV in Sunlight |
Good
|
Good
|
Good
|
Good
|
Good
|
Good
|
Good
|
Excellent
|
Poor
(black is best)
|
Fair
(black is best)
|
Fair
|
Fair
|
| Resistance
to Rot and Mildew |
Poor
|
Poor
|
Poor
|
Poor
|
Poor
|
Poor
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Tensile
strength specification sheets
Weight
loads of rope are usually 10-15% of tensile strength
( These are general weight, but varies
from rope manufacture to manufacture,
so please fine detailed info about the rope you buy! )
Braided Ropes
| Nominal
Size |
Nylon
Double Braid |
Polyester
Double Braid |
Spun
Polyester |
Polypropylene
Hollow Braid |
Floating
Safety MFP Double Braid |
Solid
Braid MFP |
| Inches |
Average
Tensile (lbs) |
Average
Tensile (lbs) |
Average
Tensile (lbs) |
Average
Tensile (lbs) |
Average
Tensile (lbs) |
Average
Tensile (lbs) |
| 1/4" |
2,400 |
1,550 |
1,400 |
1,225 |
1,710 |
882 |
| 5/16" |
3,400 |
2,385 |
2,200 |
1,515 |
2,430 |
1,575 |
| 3/8" |
4,800 |
3,420 |
3,200 |
2,575 |
3,420 |
2,100 |
| 7/16" |
6,400 |
4,590 |
4,200 |
3,370 |
4,590 |
2,800 |
| 1/2" |
8,400 |
5,940 |
5,600 |
4,470 |
6,030 |
3,500 |
| Nominal Size |
Nylon 3-Strand Twist |
Polypropylene 3-Strand Twist |
Polyester 3-Strand Twist |
Cotton 3-Strand Twist |
Manila 3-Strand Twist |
Sisal 3-Strand Twist |
| Inches |
Average Tensile (lbs) |
Average Tensile (lbs) |
Average Tensile (lbs) |
Average Tensile (lbs) |
Average Tensile (lbs) |
Average Tensile (lbs) |
| 1/4" |
1,490 |
1,120 |
1,490 |
450 |
539 |
480 |
| 5/16" |
2,300 |
1,450 |
2,300 |
|
|
780 |
| 3/8" |
3,340 |
2,250 |
3,340 |
990 |
1,213 |
1,080 |
| 7/16" |
4,500 |
3,188 |
4,500 |
|
|
|
| 1/2" |
5,750 |
4,200 |
5,720 |
1,400 |
1,573 |
2,120 |
| Nominal Size |
Kevlar |
Spectra |
Spectra/Kevlar |
Spectra/MFP |
Spectra Light/MFP |
| Inches |
Average Tensile (lbs) |
Average Tensile (lbs) |
Average Tensile (lbs) |
Average Tensile (lbs) |
Average Tensile (lbs) |
| 1/4" |
3,800 |
4,400 |
3,400 |
2,600 |
2,500 |
| 5/16" |
5,600 |
7,000 |
5,500 |
4,200 |
3,600 |
| 3/8" |
8,000 |
9,100 |
8,200 |
5,400 |
5,000 |
| 7/16" |
11,800 |
12,300 |
11,500 |
7,300 |
7,000 |
| 1/2" |
16,000 |
16,000 |
15,000 |
9,600 |
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