The most common materials used for fibre mooring lines are polyester, polyamide, polypropylene and polyethylene. Some ropes are made of combinations of these materials.

POLYESTER

Polyester is the most durable of the common materials. It has high strength, both wet and dry. It has good resistance against external abrasion and does not lose strength rapidly due to cyclic loading. Polyester has a low co-efficient of friction and a relatively high melting point (256°C).

POLYAMIDE (NYLON)

Polyamide rope loses 10 – 15% of its strength when wet. It has the highest elasticity of regularly used materials with good temperature and abrasion resistance.

POLYPROPYLENE

Polypropylene rope has approximately the same elasticity as polyester rope. Polypropylene has limited temperature resistance and has poor cyclic loading characteristics. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause polypropylene fibres to disintegrate due to actinic degradation.

COMBINATIONS OF MATERIALS

Mixed Polyolefins

Mixed Polyolefins are bi-component fibres made of a blend during extrusion of polypropylene and polyethylene, offering a higher degree of resistance to abrasion and strength compared to regular polypropylene.

Polypropylene / Polyester melt mix

These fibres are a melt mixture of polyester and polypropylene during extrusion, with a higher strength than polypropylene.

Polyester / Polyolefin dual fibres

These yarns are made with polyester fibres covering a polyolefin core. Minimum breaking force, abrasion resistance and cyclic rope performance are equivalent to polyester.

| top |