Broadly speaking fibers can be divided into two categories – natural and synthetic. Most ropes today are made from synthetic fibers because they offer far superior performance in terms of strength and durability. Natural fiber ropes have a tendency to deteriorate as a result of rot and mildew, particularly if stored improperly. Natural fiber ropes should not be used in life critical applications.
Cancord manufactures rope from the following fibers:
![Cancord Rope Fibers](https://www.cancord.com/graphics/logoforropes.png)
Fiber |
Type |
Heat Resistance* |
UV Resistance |
Chemical Resistance |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Cotton |
Natural |
Chars at 148°C |
Very Good |
- Degraded by acids in high concentration or at high temperatures.
- Resistant to alkalis.
- Degraded by organic solvents and sea water.
|
|
- Susceptible to deterioration from moisture, rot & mildew
- Strength can be dramatically affected by basic environmental variables such as the level of humidity
|
Dyneema® |
Synthetic |
Melts at 145°C |
Fair |
- Acid & alkali resistant.
- Resistant to bleaches, other oxidizing agents and most solvents.
- Unaffected by sea water.
|
- Good strength.
- Unaffected by water.
|
- Susceptible to creep (gradual elongation under load).
- Expensive
|
Kevlar® |
Synthetic |
Decomposes at 500°C |
Poor |
- Resistant to weak acids, bases, water & salt water.
- Degraded by strong acids & bases in high concentration or high temperature.
|
- Exceptional strength
- Exceptional heat resistance
|
- Poor shock loading qualities
- Poor abrasion resistance
- Expensive
|
Nylon |
Synthetic |
Melts at 218°C |
Very Good |
- Resistant to weak acids.
- Degraded by concentrated, strong acids.
- Unaffected by most alkalis at room temperature.
- Resistant to organic solvents.
- Soluble in phenols & formic acid.
|
- Resistant to rot & mildew.
- Good strength & durability.
|
- Minor loss of strength when wet (strength is regained when rope dries)
|
Polyester |
Synthetic |
Melts at 245°C |
Very Good |
- Resistant to mineral acids.
- Degraded by strong sulphuric acids.
- Degraded by strong alkalis at high temperature.
- Resistant to organic solvents, soluble in phenols.
|
- Resistant to rot & mildew
- Good strength & durability.
- Unaffected by water.
|
|
Polypropylene |
Synthetic |
Melts at 165°C |
Poor |
- Resistant to acids.
- Resistant to alkalis.
- Resistant to organic solvents, soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbons.
|
- Light weight
- Inexpensive
- Unaffected by water
|
- Low strength relative to other synthetic fibers
- Susceptible to creep (gradual elongation under load)
|
PolysteelTM |
Synthetic |
Melts at 140°C |
Fair |
- Resistant to acids.
- Resistant to alkalis.
- Resistant to organic solvents, soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbons.
|
- Light weight
- Good handling characteristics
- Unaffected by water
|
- Less strength than some other synthetic fibers
|
Technora® |
Synthetic |
Decomposes at 500°C |
Poor |
- Resistant to acids.
- Resistant to alkalis.
- Resistant to organic solvents.
- Resistant to sea water and steam.
|
- High strength
- Good abrasion resistance
|
|
Download the Cancord Rope Fibers chart as PDF File
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