Selection

Choosing A Rope
Always consult the manufacturer before using rope when personal safety or possible damage to property is involved.
Make sure the rope is adequate for the job. Do not use too small a rope or the wrong type.

Product Strength Scale 1-5
(5 = strongest, diameter to diameter)
Elastic Elongation at Working Load % Weight Scale 1-5
(5 = heaviest, diameter to diameter)
Working Energy Absorption
Ft Lbs/Lb of Rope
Maximum Energy Absorption
Ft Lbs/Lb of Rope
Rope Average Specific Gravity
g/cc
Splice Complexity Scale 1-5
(5 = most complex)
Dielectric Leakage, New/Dry, at 100 kV AC, 2ft. Spacing, in Micro-Amperes***
(250 Max allowable)
Aracom Miniline 2.9 0.6 4.0 100 4,906 1.40 5 NA
Aracom T 3.1 0.7 4.4 157 4,409 1.40 3 NA
Aracom 100 3.8 0.9 3.9 426 8,144 1.44 1 <250
Crystalyne 2.7 0.5 4.3 187 3,403 1.40 3 <100
Double Esterlon 1.4 2.2 3.9 291 7,711 1.38 2 <20
Hy-Dee Brait 0.7 2.7 2.8 116 12,673 0.93 3* <10
Maxibraid 3.5 0.7 3.3 226 6,342 0.97 1 <100
Maxibraid Plus 2.7 0.6 3.7 115 4,295 1.18 3 <100
Mega Max 2.9 0.5 2.7 318 8,300 0.97 3 <100
Nylon Brait 1.3 10.0 2.9 1,426 23,680 1.14 3 NA
Polydyne 1.5 5.1 3.8 576 11,187 1.24 2 >500
PolyPlus Braid 1.1 3.4 3.1 395 8,228 1.25 1 <100
Portland Braid 1.3 2.0 4.0 265 5,929 1.38 2 <20
Ultrex 5.0 0.6 3.1 318 8,300 0.97 1 <100
Unitrex XS 8 3.5 0.5 4.6 NA NA 1.10 4 <50
Vectrus 4.3 0.6 3.8 232 4,446 1.40 1 <100
Yalex 1.7 3.0 4.5 409 10,700 1.38 1 <100
Yalon 1.1 7.0 3.5 796 11,871 1.14 2 >2000
* Quick splice method available which reduces the break strength but also reduces the splice complexity to 1
** NA in Dielectric leakage indicates that the product is not recommended for use in dielctric situations due to the ropes potential moisture gain
***Absorbed or entrained moisture or impurities will increase a ropes conductivity dramatically

Fiber Comparison Data

Product Strength Scale
1-5
Tenacity
g/d
Specific Gravity
g/cc
Weight Scale
1-5
Average Water Absorption
% @65% RH
Melting Point
°F (©)
Elastic Elongation Scale1-5
Nylon (NY) 1.5 9.2 1.14 2.5 5.0 460 (240) 5
Polyester (PET) 1.4 9.2 1.38 4.3 0.4 480 (255) 3
Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE) 1.0 6.5 0.93 1.0 0.0 330 (165) 4
Co-Polymer (PP/PE) 1.1 7.5 0.93 1.0 0.0 330 (165) 3
HMPE* (Spectra™, Dyneema™) 4.8 36.0 0.97 1.3 0.0 300 (150) 1
Aramid (Technora, Twaron, Kevlar) 3.8 28.0 1.44 4.8 4.0 **900 (500) 2
Vectran (LCP) 3.9 28.0 1.40 4.4 0.0 625 (330) 1
Zylon PBO 5.0 45.0 1.56 5.0 1.3 ***1200 (650) 1
* High Modulus Polyethylene
** Chars
*** Decomposition temperature
For computing energy-absorption requirements, refer to example in “Dynamic Loading.”
For computing weight in sea water: (Wt. in Air) – (Wt. in Air)(1.03) / (Specific Gravity of Rope)

Components of Elongation


* Hysteresis refers to a recoverable portion of stretch over a period of time after a load is released.