Rope Fiber Selection Guide

FiberProperties and Typical Values

ManilaSisalCottonNylonPolyesterPolypropylenePolyethyleneKevlar*Spectra**
STRENGTH:
Breaking Tenacity-Dry (grams/denier)5.0-6.04.0-5.02.0-3.07.0-9.57.0-9.56.56.018-26.530.0
Wet Strength vs. Dry StrengthUp to 120%Up to 120%Up to 120%85-90%100%100%100%95%100%
Shock-load Absorption AbilityPoorPoorVery PoorExcellentGoodVery GoodFairPoorFair
WEIGHT:
Specific Gravity1.381.381.541.141.380.910.951.440.97
FloatsNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoYes
ELONGATION:
Percent at Break10-12%10-12%5-12%18-25%12-15%15-25%15-25%1.5-3.6%3.5%
Creep (extension under sustained load)Very LowVery LowVery LowModerateLowHighHighVery LowModerate
EFFECTS OF MOISTURE:
Water Absorption of Individual FibersUp to 100%Up to 100%Up to 100%2-8%,1%NoneNone3.5-7.0%None
Dielectric PropertiesVery PoorVery PoorVery PoorPoorGoodExcellentExcellentPoorExcellent
DEGRADATION:
Resistance to UV in SunlightGoodGoodGood GoodExcellentPoor
(black is best)
Fair
(black is best)
FairFair
Resistance to Rot and MildewPoorPoorPoorExcellentExcellentExcellentExcellentExcellentExcellent
Storage RequirementsDry OnlyDry OnlyDry OnlyWet or DryWet or DryWet or DryWet or DryWet or DryWet or Dry
ROPE ABRASION RESISTANCE:
SurfaceGoodFairPoorVery GoodExcellentGoodGoodFairVery Good
InternalFairFairFairExcellentExcellentGoodGoodFairExcellent
THERMAL PROPERTIES:
Melts atDoes not melt
Chars at 350°
Does not melt
Chars at 350°
Does not melt
Chars at 350°
420-480°490-500°330°275°800° -
Begins to decompose
297°
RESISTANCE***:
Resistance to AcidsPoorPoorPoorFairGoodExcellentExcellentFairExcellent
Resistance to AlkalisPoorPoorFairVery GoodFairExcellentExcellentFairExcellent
Resistance to Oils and GasPoorFairPoorVery GoodVery GoodVery GoodVery GoodVery GoodVery Good

* Based on DuPont Kevlar® data

** Based on Allied- Signal Spectra® data-Type 900

*** Resistance is relative to the length of exposure, percent of concentration and temperature