Rope Properties

 
Cotton
(Spun Yarn)
Nylon
(Multi-filament)
Polyester
(Multi-filament)
Polypropylene
(Multi-filament)
Polypropylene
(Monofilament)
Breaking Tenacity (Grams per Denier)
3 to 5 gpd 5.9 to 9.5 gpd 6.0 to 9.5 gpd 2.5 to 8.0 gpd 3.5 to 7.0 gpd
Stretch Elongation at Break Point (%)
3% to 7% 15% to 28% 12% to 14% 20% to 100% 14% to 30%
Elastic Recovery (%)
74% at 2% 45% at 5% 99% at 2% 89% at 3% 99% at 2% 88% at 5% 98% at 5% 95% at 10% 98% at 5%
Specific Gravity
1.54 1.14 1.38 0.91 (Floats) 0.91 (Floats)
Moisture Absorbency
Good resistance Excellent resistance Excellent resistance Good resistance Good resistance
Abrasion Resistance
Good resistance Excellent resistance Excellent resistance Good resistance Good resistance
Effect of Heat
Decomposes 302° Yellows at 300° Melts at 482° Melts at 482° 59% tensile at 200° Melts at 320° 50% tensile at 200° Melts at 330°
Effects of Age
Negligible None None Negligible Negligible
Effects of Sunlight
Loses strength Loses strength after prolonged exposure Loses strength after prolonged exposure Good resistance to indirect sunlight Good resistance if uv-stabilized
Effects of Acids
Disintegrates in concentrated solutions Good resistance Dissolves in sulfuric acids Good resistance Dissolves in sulfuric acids Good resistance except with oxidizing agents Good resistance except with oxidizing agents
Effects of Alkalis
Swelling, but no damage Inert Moderate Good resistance Good resistance
Effects of Organic Solutions
Resistant to common solvents Resistant. Soluble in phenolic and formic acid Resistant. Soluble in phenolic acid Insoluble in most except chlorinated hydrocarbons Insoluble in most except chlorinated hydrocarbons
Resistance to Moths
Not attacked Not attacked Not attacked Not attacked Not attacked
Resistance to Mildew
Poor unless bleached Not attacked Not attacked Not attacked Not attacked
Identification
Melts before burning. Burns rapidly Melts before burning. Forms hard bead. Celery odor Floats. Forms hard bead. Pungent odor Melts before burning. Burning asphalt odor Floats. Melts before burning. Burning asphalt odor