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ROPE CONSTRUCTION SELECTION GUIDE

by Chicago BDSM

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 Core Rope Core Rope Core Rope Core Rope Core

ROPE FIBER SELECTION GUIDE: Fiber Properties- Typical Values

CHARACTERISTICS Manila Sisal Hemp Jute Coir Cotton Nylon Polyester Poly-propylene Poly-ethylene Kevlar(1) Spectra
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 ery Good Fair 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

Twisted Ropes

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

Braided High Performance Ropes

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