Rope Specifications
COTTONNatural Fiber, Chars at 148 °C, UV Resistance: Very GoodChemical Resistance
- Degraded by acids in high concentration or at high temperatures
- Resistant to alkalis
- Degraded by organic solvents and sea water
Advantages
- Exceptional Handling
Disadvantages
- Susceptible to deterioration from moisture, rot & mildew
- Strength can be dramatically affected by basic environmental variables such as the level of humidity
MANILA
Natural Fibre, Chars at 148 °C, UV Resistance: Very Good
Chemical Resistance
- Degraded by acids in high concentration or high temperature
- Degraded by alkalis
- Resistant to organic solvents
Advantages
- Very good creep resistance (gradual elongation under load)
Disadvantages
- Poor microbial resistance
- Can be rough to handle
POLYPROPYLENE
Synthetic Fiber, Chars at 165 °C, UV Resistance: Fair
Chemical Resistance
- Resistant to acids
- Resistant to alkalis
- Resistant to organic solvents, soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbons
Advantages
- Light weight
- Inexpensive
- Unaffected by water
- Excellent microbial resistance
Disadvantages
- Low strength relative to other synthetic fibers
- Susceptible to creep (gradual elongation under load)
POLYSTEEL
Synthetic Fiber, Chars at 140 °C, UV Resistance: Fair
Chemical Resistance
- Resistant to acids
- Resistant to alkalis
- Resistant to organic solvents, soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbons
Advantages
- Light weight
- Good handling characteristics
- Unaffected by water
- Higher strength than polypropylene
- Excellent microbial resistance
Disadvantages
- Susceptible to creep (gradual elongation under load)
NYLON
Synthetic Fiber, Nylon 6 melts at 218˚C, Nylon 6.6 melts at 258˚C, UV Resistance: Good
Chemical Resistance
- Resistant to weak acids
- Degraded by concentrated, strong acids
- Unaffected by most alkalis at room temperature
- Resistant to organic solvents, soluble in phenols and formic acid
Advantages
- Good strength
- Excellent microbial resistance
Disadvantages
- Susceptible to creep (gradual elongation under load)
- Abrasion resistance of wet nylon is generally poor
- Minor loss of strength when wet; strength is re-gained once rope dries
POLYESTER
Synthetic, Chars at 254 °C, UV Resistance: Very Good
Chemical Resistance
- Resistant to mineral acids
- Degraded by strong sulphuric acids
- Degraded by string alkalis at high temperature
- Resistant to organic solvents, soluble in phenols
Advantages
- Excellent microbial resistance
- Good strength & durability
- Unaffected by water
Disadvantages
- None
KEVLAR
Synthetic, Decomposes at 500 °C, UV Resistance: Poor
Chemical Resistance
- Resistant to weak acids, bases, water & salt water
- Degraded by strong acids & bases in high concentration or high temperature
Advantages
- Exceptional strength
- Exceptional heat resistance
Disadvantages
- Poor shock loading qualities
- Poor abrasion resistance
- Expensive
DYNEEMA
Synthetic, Melts at 145 °C, UV Resistance: Fair
Chemical Resistance
- Acid & alkali resistant
- Resistant to bleaches, other oxidizing agents and most solvents
- Unaffected by sea water
Advantages
- Good strength
- Unaffected by water
Disadvantages
- Susceptible to creep (gradual elongation under load)
- Expensive
TECHNORA
Synthetic, Decomposes at 500 °C, UV Resistance: Poor
Chemical Resistance
- Resistant to acids
- Resistant to alkalis
- Resistant to organic solvents
- Resistant to sea water and steam
Advantages
- Good strength
- Unaffected by water
Disadvantages
- Expensive