Stretch and Elasticity of Ropes of Different Materials

Rope, rope products are found almost as much as stretch rope products. BARON's wide range of stretch rope products provide approximately 100% stretch capacity for the product. Stretch ropes are subject to heat/cold, overuse, etc., so 100% may vary, but it is at least a good initial barometer.

Products based on Kevlar, Twaron or "Aramid" will give you a very low incidence of stretch. These super fibers are typically located at the core of the product and are protected by a jacket or sheath of polyester or other man-made industrial grade fibers. We offer a variety of Kevlar and Vectran based ropes for low stretch applications. Next we will look at the materials and properties of stretch ropes.

Polypropylene fiber structure

Among industrial man-made fibers, polypro is usually the cheapest, stretches a lot (18-22% at break) and is not as durable as other fibers. polypro can be a soft variety called multifilament (MFP) or a stiff monofilament variety.
Polypro floats on the water and is often seen in conjunction with water skiing or as a single season fixing solution. We offer a twisted polypro which is round and flat hollow woven polypro, as well as some solid weave styles.

Nylon Fiber Structure

The maximum stretch of nylon at the breaking point ...... is between 15% and 30% of its length. Most people who use rope or cordage rarely push them to the breaking point, but you can expect nylon to provide something that others will not. When setting up a boat anchor or even a dock line, you may want this gift, where a little elasticity may be a good thing.
If you do need nylon, make sure it comes from us or at least a reputable store.

Cotton Fiber Construction

While not as well known for UV stability or abrasion resistance as the industrial grade fibers we use, our cotton rope is reinforced and has a fairly low stretch, with a breaking point stretch of about 5-10%. This is a good "single-season solution" for low-demand outdoor applications.

Polyester Fiber Construction

The reality is that for the last 15 years or so, most commercial grade ropes and cords have been polyester ...... rather than nylon. Polyester has come a long way and has far surpassed nylon in application range and durability.
Polyester applications include: pull cords for military and civilian antennas, tent and fabric structures, awnings, farmers poultry curtains and basic flagpole lift cords, UV stabilized industrial grade polyester offers superior overall performance and price.

Stretch Cord Jacket Fiber

When it comes to stretch factor, the jacket material used to secure and protect the individual latex rubber ends within a structure is usually independent of how much the product is stretched. Jackets have more abrasion resistance, UV protection and other properties where polyester shines. We offer polyester and nylon elastic, so you can choose between performance and economy.

Wanna find more applications and materials? Please visit our website and contact BARON today to get the quote.