Kevlar Rope
Kevlar, or Kevlar Aramid, is the trademarked name of a proprietary synthetic fiber first developed in 1965 by a woman named Stephanie Kwolek. Its proper name is poly paraphenylene terephthalamide. When it was first developed, scientists at DuPont, where Kwolek worked, were searching for a strong but lightweight alternative fiber with which to manufacture tires.
Quick links to Kevlar Rope Information
Advantages of Kevlar Rope
A member of the class of fibers known as aramids, Kevlar is highly durable and heat resistant. Furthermore, it is flame resistant and self-extinguishing. It also has low levels of electrical conductivity and low levels of thermal By the measure of its strength-to-weight ratio, it is five times stronger than steel. Kevlar is incredibly useful and is valued in many industries, where it is notably applied as body armor and protective clothing, drumheads, water vessel racing sails, brake pad material, and rope. Kevlar ropes, made from Kevlar fiber that has been twisted or braided together, are incredibly strong and resistant to cutting, though they are easy to splice, with a low level of elasticity, high chemical resistance, high alkali resistance, and high organic solvent resistance.
Design of Kevlar Rope
Kevlar rope is only one of the countless types of synthetic and natural cordage available to suppliers and end users worldwide. Other common types of rope include polypropylene rope, nylon rope, cotton rope, and manila rope. Of all these ropes, Kevlar rope distinguishes itself as the strongest. When braided or made of interwoven fibers, Kevlar rope becomes even stronger. Braided rope, of all kinds, is strong, durable, and difficult to unwind, making it very popular for use with demanding applications that put high levels of stress on the rope. Twisted Kevlar rope varieties, which are composed of several strands of rope wound around one another, also prove useful for use during demanding applications. This is because twisted Kevlar ropes have windings that keep them tightly wound. Different types of braid configurations include solid braids (locked stitched with no core; high strength; low stretch), hollow braids (any braid construction without a core; fully spliceable; capable of floating), flat braids/tubular braids (simply braided with no inner core), diamond braids (over and under construction; available with or without core), double braids (braid over braid/two ropes in one) and twisted braids (three strand construction).
Kevlar Rope Applications
Kevlar rope and Kevlar cables are used extensively in marine, construction, manufacturing, fire and rescue, furniture, shipping and loading, and recreational consumer contexts. Kevlar ropes are, among other things, popular for use as mooring lines for recreational watercraft and ships, mooring lines for oil rigs, salvage ropes, tow ropes, winch lines for utility trucks, riser tensioners, the lift lines of light duty cranes, minesweeper cables, oil containment booms, helicopter slings, and orbital straps. In addition, Kevlar cables can also be used to support the weight of suspension bridges.
Things to Consider When Purchasing Kevlar Rope
Whether a consumer is mountaineering or hauling a load, he or she can count on the strength and durability of Kevlar rope. It is fire resistant and heat resistant. Kevlar rope serves as an excellent replacement for steel cable, which can be full of grease and steel barbs. To accommodate various applications, Kevlar rope can be accessorized with metal hooks on the ends, allowing them to be attached to other lengths of rope or other items. Kevlar rope is further available in a wide variety of thicknesses and lengths. This tough and thermally stable high-tech fiber rope can be made to meet different specifications, including military specifications (MIL-Specs). Find out how a rope specialist can help you and your application by calling one of the experienced suppliers listed on this page. Note that in order to get the most out of your investment, you must treat your ropes with care. You must not cause them undue stress by overloading them or exposing them to damaging chemicals or substances. Kevlar, of course, is quite strong, so this is less of an issue with this particular type of rope, but it is still wise to make sure you know the limits of your cord and stay within those bounds. Also, Kevlar is sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light, so you should avoid leaving it out in the sun for long periods of time so that it does not become discolored. When storing your Kevlar rope, we recommend you keep it somewhere dry, well-ventilated, and up off the ground. Avoid knotting or kinking it when not in use. Bring your specifications to a skilled and knowledgeable cordage supplier, like those found near the top of this page.
