| 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. |  |
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ROPE FIBER SELECTION GUIDE: Fiber Properties- Typical Values
| Manila | Sisal | Cotton | Nylon | Polyester | Poly-propylene | Poly-ethylene | Kevlar(1) | Spectra (2) | |
| 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 |
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 |
1.54 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 |
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 |
2.8% Poor |
<1% Good |
None Excellent |
None Excellent |
3.5-7.0% Poor |
None Excellent |
| DEGRADATION: Resistance to UV in Sunlight Resistance to Rot and Mildew Storage Requirements |
Good Poor Dry Only |
Good Poor Dry Only |
Good Poor Dry Only |
Good Excellent Wet or Dry |
Excellent Excellent Wet or Dry |
Poor (black is best) Excellent Wet or Dry |
Fair (black is best) Excellent Wet or Dry |
Fair Excellent Wet or Dry |
Fair Excellent Wet or Dry |
| ROPE ABRASION RESISTANCE: Surface Internal |
Good Fair |
Fair Fair |
Poor Fair |
Very Good Excellent |
Excellent Excellent |
Good Good |
Good Good |
Fair Fair |
V. Good Excellent |
| THERMAL PROPERTIES: Melts at |
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: Resistance to Acids Resistance to Alkalis Resistance to Oils and Gas |
Poor Poor Poor |
Poor Poor Fair |
Poor Fair Poor |
Fair Very Good Very Good |
Good Fair Very Good |
Excellent Excellent Very Good |
Excellent Excellent Very Good |
Fair Fair Very Good |
Excellent Excellent Very Good |