wire rope breaking strength vs working load price

Have you picked up a ratchet strap and saw numbers labeled on the strap, and wonder what they mean? Chances are you"re reading the working load limit or break strength. Every piece of load-bearing equipment states these requirements to let you know how much weight that piece of rigging is capable of securing.

When it comes to securing fragile or heavy loads, it is crucial that the product can secure the load without breaking. Although these terms are normally stated, there is confusion about what these terms mean. Read on below to learn what working load limit, break strength, and safety factor mean.

Many people ask about the working load limit, and this is a term to not mix up with breaking strength. Abbreviated as WLL, it is the rating that should never be exceeded when using a product like a ratchet strap. Before using a piece of load-bearing equipment, always make sure to look at the working load limit before use as it is the maximum allowable loading force.

Something to keep in mind is the working load limit is always 1/3 of the breaking strength. So if a ratchet strap has a breaking strength of 15,000 pounds, then the strap will have a working load limit of 5,000 pounds.

The break strength is equally as important as the WLL. The break strength also refers to the point at which your load-bearing equipment will fail. It is expressed in pounds and/or kilograms, and will actually fail if you go over the required amount.

When a ratchet strap is made with webbing, end fittings, and a ratchet all with a 10,000-pound breaking strength, then the break strength of the overall product will stay 10,000 pounds. However, if the same strap has a ratchet with an 8,000-pound break strength, then that would reduce the product"s strength to 8,000.

Safety factor, also known as Design Factor, determines the ratio between the working load limit and break strength. The working load limit"s rating should never exceed when using a sling or tiedown, and this safety factor provides an allowance for shock loading, G force, and other unforeseen factors.

When selecting a ratchet strap, lifting sling, shackle, or any other product, select the product that has suitable characteristics for the type of load, environment, and attachment to the vehicle.

At US Cargo Control, we want you to be safe when securing heavy loads. If you have any questions about the safety requirements, give our team a call at 800-404-7068 or email us at customerservice@uscargocontrol.com.

In the shipping industry, items like winch straps and ratchet straps use two common measuring metrics. One of them is the working load limit, while the other is the strap’s break strength. At first glance, it’s understandable why some people might mix the two up. They kind of mean the same thing, don’t they? In this article, we’ll look at break strength vs. working load limit, explaining the differences and why those differences are so important.

We’ll start with break strength since this term is more self-explanatory than the other. Put simply, the break strength of a piece of rigging is the amount of weight that would cause the weakest part of the rigging to fail. Ideally, you’ll never actually test a rigging’s break strength, as the weight of the loads they’ll carry will usually be much lower than this limit.

If a cargo strapping system consists of fittings, webbing, and a tensioning device that all have a break strength of 12,000 pounds, that strapping system’s break strength would be 12,000. However, if one of those components (the fittings, webbing, or tensioning device) has a lower break strength of 9,000 pounds, then the entire strapping system has a break strength of 9,000 instead.

The difference in break strength vs. working load limit comes into play when you understand the concept of the working load limit means. A rigging’s working load limit is the amount of weight that it can handle under normal conditions. This number will always be smaller than the break strength, and that piece of rigging should never hold more than its working load limit.

The working load limit of a rigging system is equal to 1/3 the amount of the break strength. As such, a strapping system with a working load limit of 5,000 pounds has a break strength of 15,000 pounds. Remember, the working load limit will determine how much you should allow the system to hold, not the break strength.

Logistick makes our products able to stand the test of time. Our cargo strapping systems have all undergone extensive testing for both working load limit and break strength, so you can rest easy and trust the numbers you see. If you have any questions about our products or how they work, please give us a call. We’ll be happy to help you out.

It’s rare for a week to go by here at Industrial Wire Rope without discussions about tensile strength or working load limit. We take it for granted that most people in our industry know there is a difference in the meaning of these terms. Yet, these terms and others are highly interrelated, and we thought an overview of them on one page might be a helpful reference. For those who want to dive deeper into the definitions and how they apply on the job, we’re also providing links to sources with additional information.

Let’s start with Tensile Strength. As we described in a post from 2017, “Tensile strength is a measurement of the force required to pull something such as rope, wire, or a structural beam to the point where it breaks. The tensile strength of a material is the maximum amount of tensile stress that it can take before failure, for example breaking.”

In our immediate world, tensile strength is the force required to break the ropes we offer. Tensile strength is determined by testing. Obviously, it is different for every type of rope, being a function of the material and construction of each type.

Although tensile strength is a definitive quantity measuring the force required to break a rope, working load limit is a measure that takes a wide range of variables into account. And always, the tensile strength of a material is greater than the recommended working load limit.

The working load limit provides consideration for factors such as the abrasion, friction and rubbing the rope is subjected to, the variance in temperature extremes it is exposed to, harmful substances that may come into contact with it, age, and even knots in the rope. Working load limit is defined as “the maximum load which should ever be applied to the product, even when the product is new and when the load is uniformly applied”.

Working load limit is always a fraction of tensile strength, allowing for a generous margin of safety. For wire ropes, it’s common for the working load limit to be set at 20% of tensile strength. However, you generally don’t have to be concerned about doing the math on your own. Rope manufacturers typically mark the working load limit on the products, so the information should be readily available to you.

The use of rope for any purpose results in friction, bending and tension. All rope, hardware, sheaves rollers, capstans, cleats, as well as knots are, in varying degrees, damaging to ropes. It’s important to understand that rope is a moving, working, strength member and even under the most ideal conditions will lose strength due to use in any application. Maximizing the safety of rope performance is directly related to how strength loss is managed and making sure ropes are retired from service before a dangerous situation is created. Ropes are serious working tools and used properly will give consistent and reliable service. The cost of rope replacement is extremely small when compared to the physical damage or personnel injury that can result from using a worn out rope.

There are basically three steps to consider in providing the longest possible service life for ropes, the safest conditions and long range economy: Selection, Usage and Inspection.

Selecting a rope involves evaluating a combination of factors. Some of these factors are straight forward, like comparing rope specifications. Others are less qualitative, like color preference or how a rope feels while handling. Cutting corners, reducing design factors, sizes or strengths on an initial purchase creates unnecessary replacements, potentially dangerous conditions and increased long term costs. Fiber and construction being equal, a larger rope will outlast a smaller rope, because of greater surface wear distribution. By the same token, a stronger rope will outlast a weaker one, because it will be used at a lower percentage of its break strength and corresponding Work Load Limit with less chance of overstressing. The following factors should be considered in your rope selection: Strength, Elongation, Firmness, Construction and Abrasion.

When given a choice between ropes, select the strongest of any given size. A load of 200 pounds represents 2% of the strength of a rope with a 10,000 Lbs. breaking strength. The same load represents 4% of the strength of a rope that has a 5,000 Lbs. breaking strength. The weaker rope will work harder and as a result will have to be retired sooner. Braided ropes are stronger than twisted ropes that are the same size and fiber type.

Please note that the listed break strengths are average break strengths and do not consider conditions such as sustained loads or shock loading. Listed break strengths are attained under laboratory conditions. Remember also that break strength is not the same as the Work Load Limit.

It is well accepted that ropes with lower elongation under load will give you better control. However, ropes with lower elongation that are shock loaded, like a lowering line, can fail without warning even though the rope appears to be in good shape. Low elongating ropes should be selected with the highest possible strength. Both twisted ropes and braided ropes are suitable for rigging. Size for size, braided rope has higher strength and lower stretch than a twisted rope of similar fiber. See page 390 for additional information on rope elongation.

Select ropes that are firm and hold their shape during use. Soft or mushy ropes will snag easily and abrade quickly causing accelerated strength loss.

Rope construction plays an important role in resistance to normal wear and abrasion. Braided ropes have a basically round, smooth construction that tends to flatten out somewhat over the bearing surface. Flattening distributes wear over a much greater area, as opposed to the crowns of a three strand or to a lesser degree, an eight strand rope.

All rope will be severely damaged if subjected to rough surfaces or damaging edges. All rope must be protected against damaging or abrasive surfaces. Wire rope will score and gouge chocks and bitts creating cutting edges that can damage synthetic ropes. Chocks, bitts, drums and other surfaces must be kept in good condition and free of burrs and rust. Weld beads on repaired capstans, fairleads, etc., are equally damaging, unless dressed down smoothly. Pulleys must be free to rotate and should be of proper size to avoid

Avoid using a rope that shows signs of aging and wear. If in doubt, do not use the rope. Damaged rope must be destroyed to prevent any future use. No visual inspection can be guaranteed to accurately and precisely determine the residual strength of the rope. When fibers show wear in any area, the damaged area must be removed and the rope should be re-spliced or replaced. Check regularly for frayed or broken strands. Pulled strands should be rethreaded into the rope if possible. A pulled strand can snag on a foreign object during usage. Both outer and inner rope fibers may contribute to the strength of the rope. When either is worn the rope is naturally weakened. Open the strand of the rope and inspect for powdered fiber, which is one sign of internal wear. A heavily used rope will often become compacted or hard, which indicates reduced strength. The rope should be discarded and made unusable if this condition is detected. See pages 395 and 396 for additional inspection information.

New rope tensile strength is based upon tests of new and unused spliced rope of standard construction in accordance with Samson testing methods, which conform to Cordage Institute, ASTM and OCIMF test procedures. It can be expected that strengths will decrease as soon as a rope is put into use. Because of the wide range of rope use, changes in rope conditions, exposure to the many factors affecting rope behavior and the possibility of risk to life and property, it is impossible to cover all aspects of proper rope applications or to make generalized statements as to Work Load Limits.

Work Load Limits are the load that a rope in good condition with appropriate splices in non-critical applications is subjected to during normal activity. They are normally expressed as a percentage of new rope strength and should not exceed 20% of the stated break strength. Thus, your maximum Work Load Limit would be 1/5 or 20% of the stated break strength.

A point to remember is that a rope may be severely overloaded or shock loaded in use without breaking. Damage and strength loss may have occurred without any visible indication. The next time the rope is used under normal Work Loads and conditions, the acquired weakness can cause it to break.

Normal Work Load Limits do not cover dynamic conditions such as shock loads or sustained loads, nor do they apply where life, limb or property are involved. In these cases a stronger rope must be used and/or a higher design factor applied.

Normal Work Load Limits are not applicable when rope is subjected to dynamic loading. Whenever a load is picked up, stopped, moved or swung there is increased force due to dynamic loading. The more rapidly or suddenly such actions occur, the greater the increase in the dynamic loading. In extreme cases, the force put on the rope may be two, three or many more times the normal Work Load involved. Examples of dynamic loading would be: towing applications, picking up a load on a slack line or using a rope to stop a falling object. Dynamic loading affects low elongation ropes like polyester to a greater degree than higher elongation, nylon ropes. Dynamic loading is also magnified on shorter length ropes when compared to longer rope lengths. Therefore, in all such applications, normal Work Load Limits do not apply.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Many industries are subject to state and federal regulations for Work Load Limits that supersede those of the manufacturer. It is the responsibility of the user to be aware of and adhere to those laws and regulations.

Work Load Limits as described do not apply when ropes have been subjected to shock loading. Whenever a load is picked up, stopped, moved or swung, there is an increased force due to dynamic loading. The more rapidly or suddenly such actions occur, the greater this increase in force will be. The load must be handled slowly and smoothly to minimize dynamic effects. In extreme cases, the force put on the rope may be two, three or even more times the normal Work Load involved. Examples of shock loading are picking up a tow on a slack line or using a rope to stop a falling object. Therefore, in all applications such as towing lines, life lines, safety lines, climbing ropes, etc., design factors must reflect the added risks involved. Users should be aware that dynamic effects are greater on a low elongation rope such as manila than on a high-elongation rope such as nylon and greater on a shorter rope than on a longer one.

The shock load that occurs on a winch line when a 5,000 Lbs. object is lifted vertically with a sudden jerk may translate the 5,000 Lbs. of weight into 30,000 Lbs. of dynamic force, which could cause the line to break. Where shock loads, sustained loads or where life, limb or valuable property is involved, it is recommended that a much higher design factor than 5 be used.

Remember, shock loads are simply a sudden change in tension, from a state of relaxation or low load to one of high load. The further an object falls, the greater the impact. Synthetic fibers have a memory and retain the effects of being overloaded or shock loaded. Ropes that have been shock loaded can fail at a later time, when used within Work Load Limits.

Wire rope is the lifeline of your tow truck. We’ll help you understand the terminology, construction and ratings of wire rope. We’ll also give you advice on what type of rope to buy, how to attach it to a hook without losing towing capacity, how to inspect and maintain it, how to prevent damage, and how to tell when it’s time to replace it. We’ll also give the pros and cons of synthetic versus wire rope.

“Wire rope,” “line,” “rope” or “wire” are the only correct ways to refer to wire rope, but many tow operators refer to it as cable. Wire rope is not cable. Cable is only an acceptable term when referring to a piece of wire rope that is terminated on both ends. When that cable is connected to a power source, such as a winch, it’s no longer acceptable to call it cable.

The Egyptians were among the first to twist and braid strands of plant material together to form rope. Today’s rope is made of different materials and using different methods, but the basic principle remains the same: smaller diameter material is twisted to form strands, and then those strands are twisted to form the rope (or wire, if the rope is made from steel).

The pictures below show a 6 x 19 wire rope. The ‘19’ refers to the number of smaller diameter wires that are twisted together to form a single strand. The ‘6’ refers to the number of strands that are twisted together to make the wire. The middle of the rope, which isn’t included in either number, is referred to as “the core.”

You might have seen the term “lay” when a manufacturer specifies the type of wire to be used on a piece of their equipment. Lay refers to the direction of the twist of the wires in a strand (right or left) and to the direction that the strands are laid in the rope (regular or lang).

When you inspect a rope with regular lay, the wires appear to run straight down the length of the rope. With lang lay, the wires twist in the same direction as the strands, giving the appearance that the wires run across the rope. Regular lay rope is the most common wire sold today.

Just because your wire rope says it’s rated for an ultimate load (UL, or breaking strength) of 39,000 lbs doesn’t mean you can use that rope to tow 39,000 lbs. That’s because every wire rope has a working load limit (or WLL), which is the actual mass or force the product can support. It’s the working load limit you shouldn’t exceed, not the ultimate load limit.

So why don’t rope manufacturers make our lives easier by giving the WLL on their packaging instead of the UL? That’s because wire rope can handle different weights depending on how it’s being used. Different industries have different WLLs.

For example, standard 1/2” 6 x 19 wire rope has an ultimate load of 26,600 lbs. The working load limit for towing and recovery is 26,600 divided by 4, which is 6,650 lbs.

Synthetic rope is becoming a popular tool in the towing and recovery industry for many reasons. It has a significantly higher rating compared to standard wire, it is much lighter and, because it has no memory, there is less risk of damage caused by bird nesting.

Over the last few years, synthetic rope has also become more available to our industry. There are a wide range of distributors stocking the common sizes.

As with any synthetic product, synthetic rope is more susceptible to damage from sharp edges, but synthetic ropes made with Dyneema fiber is incredibly durable.

The three most common terminations used when attaching a hook to a wire rope are a Flemish eye with thimble splice, open swage socket, and wedge and socket (Becket). The most common of all the terminations is the Flemish eye with thimble splice.

In all cases except the open swage socket (pictured below), the rated capacity of wire rope is reduced when a termination is added to the end of the wire. When a Flemish eye with thimble splice is installed properly, it preserves 90 to 96% of the rope’s rated capacity.

The wedge and socket (pictured below) is the least recommended termination and should only be used to repair a wire that has been damaged in the field. The termination efficiency for the wedge and socket is 80% of the wire’s rated capacity. That means if we install a wedge and socket on the standard 1/2” 6 x 19, our working load limit is reduced to 5,320 lbs (WLL of 6,650 lbs x 0.8 = 5,320 lbs).

We don’t recommend using wire rope clips to terminate a hook on wire rope. Many times these clips are not installed correctly, which significantly reduces the termination efficiency.

Grade of steel. Wire rope is constructed with different grades of steel the same way that chain is manufactured. The most common wire rope grade is extra improved plow steel (EIPS) but you can also select extra extra improved plow steel (EEIPS) that is 10% stronger.

Steel core vs fiber core. When wire rope is constructed, the strands and wires are wrapped around a center core made of either independent wire rope core (IWRC) or fiber core (FC). IWRC, which is made of steel, provides additional strength. Fiber core cushions the strands by accepting lubricant more effectively. For the towing industry, we feel that the benefit of increasing our single line rating with steel core wire outweighs the benefits that fiber core offers.

Strength of rope. When it comes to wire rope, as with many things in life, you get what you pay for. A 1/2” standard 6 x 19 steel core wire rope has a working load limit of 6,650 lbs. If you go for a ½” Python COMPAC 6 steel core rope, your WLL increases to 7,550 (14% increase). Opt for a ½” Python COMPAC 35 steel core rope and your WLL increases to 9,100 (a 37% increase over then standard wire). The COMPAC 35 rope will cost you three times the price of the standard 6-strand wire, though.

Lang lay or regular lay. There are advantages and disadvantages to both lang and regular lay wire rope, depending on the application. Most manufacturers specify the types and lays of wire rope to be used on their piece of equipment. Be sure to consult the operator’s manual for proper application.

Quality of manufacturer. Talk to your wire rope supplier about the rope manufacturer. Imported wire rope is very common in today’s marketplace and many of these suppliers are quality manufacturers. The only way you can tell the quality is by asking questions about the product you’re buying.

It’s important to regularly inspect your wire rope for damage. The most common signs of damage are broken strands, kinks, and flat spots from improper wrapping on the winch drum. Constantly inspect your wire during a recovery to ensure that the winch is gathering wire properly on the winch drum and the wire is properly layered on the winch. If you want to prolong the life of your rope, take the time to unwind and rewind your wire at the first sign of overlapping or bird nesting and always stay within the working load limit.

Depending on the amount of wear and tear your wire is exposed to, you may need to replace it more often. In order to determine when you need to replace your wire, you must unwind it from the winch drum and inspect each foot of wire to determine if it needs attention. This is also a perfect time to lubricate your wire when you wind it back onto the winch. We recommend replacing your wire rope at the first sign of overloading.

It’s important to remember that most wire ropes fail from the inside out. Wire rope lubricant prolongs the life of your wire by protecting it from rust and corrosion while at the same time keeping it flexible. The best lubricant is one that was specifically designed for wire rope. Select a lubricant that doesn’t contain acids or alkalis. We recommend a moly or asphalt-based lubricant. Don’t apply used oils.

In order to protect ourselves and others from injury we must have the confidence in the equipment we are using. You can now speak to your rope supplier with confidence. Ask questions about the product you are about to buy. You never know if it is a quality manufactured piece of equipment.

Rigging and safety gear purchased from Westech Rigging Supply should be used in strict accordance with all industry and OSHA standards. At no time should rigging or safety gear be used beyond its certified load ratings (aka Working Load Limits). Normal wear and tear should be expected with use of rigging and safety gear; therefore, all gear should be thoroughly inspected before each and every use. Worn or unsafe rigging and safety gear should never be used.

Manufacturing companies choose to use Dyneema rope over steel wire rope for heavy lifting applications such as heavy lift slings, crane rope, and other rigging operations because Dyneema rope:

Dyneema fiber rope is made from Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber. Dyneema 12 strand rope is a common Dyneema fibered rope used for heavy-duty rigging applications. USA Rope & Recovery manufactures several different types of Dyneema fiber rope including the popular 12 Strand, and 24 Strand ropes, as well as others. No matter the application, USA Rope provides strong, durable, and efficient rope for the marine, arborist, nautical, off-roading, and other manufacturing industries.

More times than not, Dyneema fiber rope and steel wire rope are compared by most manufacturing companies–likeThe Rigging Company–for certain maritime, mooring, and towing rope applications. Pound for pound, Dyneema fiber rope is up to 15 times stronger than steel and up to 40% stronger than aramid fibers–otherwise known as Kevlar rope. The high-performance strength and low weight of Dyneema rope ensures that it is safer to use than steel wire rope. Ideally, Manufacturing companies want a rope that can withstand tremendous weight while being light enough to move, use, and work with when needed. Traditionally, steel wire rope is used for heavy-duty maritime, rigging, and mooring rope applications. Although steel wire rope is known for being used for heavy-duty rigging, the disadvantage is the serious risks that come from its heavy-weight and uneven breakage behavior. When a steel wire rope breaks, the combination of the enormous energy and incredible force causes unpredictable recoil. This unpredictable recoil comes from how wire rope is coiled. Essentially, wire rope is several strands of metal wire twisted into a helix, forming a composite rope. When breakage occurs, the helix formed rope unravels, creating a snaking behavior which can cause sharp edges of the broken strands to release at a dangerous force. The lack of strength compared to Dyneema rope shows that steel wire rope is more susceptible to breaking. This can increase risk factors for manufacturing companies that use steel wire rope for rigging, mooring, and heavy duty lifting.

For example, when comparing a ⅜ inch 12 Strand Dyneema rope to a ⅜ inch steel wire rope, the 12 strand Dyneema rope is significantly stronger and presents safer breaking characteristics. The ⅜ inch steel wire rope withstands a load of 14,478 pounds. As the video shows, even in the event of a partial rupture, the steel wire ropes higher mass and recoil provides a greater risk over 12 Strand Dyneema rope. With a ⅜ inch 12 Strand Dyneema rope, it can withstand 18,857 pounds. With the Dyneema fibers low mass and recoil, it reduces the risks for manufacturing companies using rigging rope for heavy-duty lifting applications.

Dyneema is 7 times lighter than steel wire rope at the same strength. In the event of a break, the recoil force is considerably less. Furthermore, the different construction of a Dyneema rope shows a linear recoil without any snaking behavior. This is due to the fact that Dyneema rope is manufactured from UHMWPE, which is comprised of extremely long chains of polyethylene oriented in the same direction, resulting in an overlapping effect. The overlapping of the UHMWPE increases the bond of the chains and thereby strengthens the Dyneema fiber. Dyneema rope offers durable characteristics that can withstand an immense amount of strength while having very little weight to the rope. Because Dyneema fiber is lighter and has a lesser impact when breakage occurs, choosing Dyneema rope over steel wire rope is the safer choice for manufacturing companies working with heavy lifting and below the hook rigging applications for the industrial, nautical, and arborist industries.

When choosing the best rope for any maritime, mooring, towing, or heavy-duty lifting application, choose a rope that can withstand extremely heavy loads and has a long enough lifetime to handle external factors in the nautical, industrial, or arborist industry. In order to decide which rope is best for the job, there are four main challenges that rigging, heavy-duty lifting, mooring, and towing ropes need to overcome:

Dyneema rope is the only high modulus synthetic fiber that has been scientifically engineered–from Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)–to overcome all four of these challenges. Dyneema is the world’s strongest fiber producing ropes that are 15 times stronger than steel wire ropes of the same weight and has become one the most trusted fiber ropes over generic HMPE ropes and steel cable wire ropes for all rigging, maritime, mooring, and towing rope applications.

Manufacturing companies that work with maritime and mooring applications need a durable rigging rope to withstand the constant pulling that comes from the rope running through fairleads and over capstans. Also, in heavy-duty lifting and towing applications, ropes come in contact with rough surfaces such as chocks and the vessel’s deck. These applications can potentially provide severe abrasions to the ropes and degrade the exposed fibers, eventually breaking them. Choosing a Dyneema fibered rope provides manufacturers with a durable, lightweight rope that carries an abrasion lifetime that is four times longer than steel wire rope and rope made with regular HMPE and polyester. With Dyneema’s extended abrasion lifetime, manufacturers are choosing Dyneema rope over steel wire rope for all mooring, towing, maritime, and heavy-duty lifting applications throughout the nautical, arborist, and industrial industries.

Bending fatigue occurs every time a rope flexes under tension. For heavy-duty lifting applications, rope experiences potential bending-fatigue every time something needs to be moved. For example, when a steel beam manufacturer has completed a 15-ton custom-made beam for a military-grade application, the finished product needs to be moved onto a truck for shipment. Rigging ropes are then attached to a crane to then lift, move and place the steel beam from the warehouse to the truck. This can wear out the rope. Another example is when the rope runs over fairleads and pedestals in maritime and mooring applications. This stresses the fiber both inside and outside of the rope causing bending fatigue and decreases the useful life of the rope. Certain conditions in towing and mooring applications can also lead to compression fatigue. This happens when ropes become slack during services and the fibers compress. Due to the molecular properties (UHMWPE) engineered to make Dyneema fiber– and its extremely long chains of polyethylene oriented in the same direction–threats of compression and bending fatigue are far less over other synthetic fibers and steel wire ropes.

In all rigging applications, synthetic ropes elongate when over a long period of time when loaded in higher temperatures–commonly referred to as creep. Creep is irreversible and when combined with abrasions or other risks, it can lead to rope failure. With regular HMPE rope, in heavy-duty lifting and towing applications where high loads and high temperatures are constantly a factor, the creep process can accelerate. This can be a major risk for ropes made from generic HMPE. In contrast, Dyneema rope has up to four times longer creep lifetime. When comparing Dyneema fiber to Spectra, another synthetic fiber rope, under 122 degrees Fahrenheit and 600 MPa load, Dyneema rope has a significantly longer creep lifetime than Spectra fiber rope.

eAfter comparing Dyneema rope to steel wire rope–a ⅜ inch 12 Strand Dyneema rope to a ⅜ inch steel wire rope–there is a guarantee that Dyneema rope is 15 times stronger and better at dealing with abrasions over steel wire rope. For manufacturing companies, Dyneema rope is also considered to be superior to Nylon rope due to Dyneema fiber having low ability to stretch, is UV resistant, and possesses an immense amount of strength. USA Rope properly manufactures Dyneema fibered ropes that are synthetically engineered to uphold incredible weight while enduring constant friction for application uses involving heavy-duty lifting, crane rope support, and below the hook rigging.

Understanding that Dyneema fiber rope is better used for manufacturing companies over steel wire rope, USA Rope & Recovery works hard to manufacture the highest quality rope by using top-of-the-line supplies from across the USA. Dedicating time and effort to finding the next best and technologically advanced products in the market is our main goal at USA Rope in order to help our customers gain the best competitive advantage in their respective field. USA Rope & Recovery also manufactures additional ropes including Spectra, Nylon, Polyester, Polypro, and Kevlar (Aramid) fiber ropes. No matter the application, USA Rope is a leader in custom rope manufacturing for industries including nautical, industrial, arborist, and marine.

In general, running rigging should be replaced whenever it shows visible signs of damage – core hemorrhaged through the cover, several broken strands close together, “rot” from UV exposure, or green and stiff from disuse. There’s a rule of thumb, but it varies rigger to rigger. The Rule of thumb says to replace all rigging hardware every 5-10 years. However, depending on how much everyday usage, weight, and environmental factors the rigging ropes take on can make the rule of thumb shorter or longer.

There are multiple different types of synthetic winch lines available today, many of them are made from Dyneema fibers, while others are made fromPolyester,Nylon,Spectra, orKevlar. Each fiber has benefits and disadvantages and can be chosen depending on your unique application. Spectra is similar to Dyneema fiber but is not as strong or as durable. Because of its strength and durability, Dyneema is the premier synthetic fiber for winching applications.