Applied Fiber

Synthetic Fiber Cable Rope Options and Descriptions

Applied Fiber – Synthetic Fiber Technology Utilizing:
Spectra, Vectran, Kevlar, Zylon, Dyneema, Technora, Twaron, Plasma

Technology improvements have allowed for stronger more durable synthetic fibers that can be spun into cords, ropes, cables, and tendons. These fibers perform exceptionally well and provide numerous performance features resulting in benefits not previously available. Applied Fiber will work with you to provide the best core construction and completed assembly for your application.

Rope, Cable, Cord and Tendons are engineered with the following fibers that fall in to the below classifications:

  •  HMPE – High Modulous Polyethelene: Spectra, Plasma, Dyneema
  •  LCP – Liquid Crystal Polymer: Vectran
  •  Aramid – Kevlar, Twaron, Technora
  •  PBO -phenylene benzobisoxazole – Zylon
  •  Polyester – PET, PEN
  •  Polyamide – Nylon

The benefits of high strength synthetic ropes, cables and cords:

  •  Stronger Than Steel – High strength synthetics like Spectra Rope , Dyneema Cord, Technora Rope, Kevlar Rope and PBO rigging for example can be manufactured to be up to ten times stronger than steel.
  •  Lighter Weight – Plasma, Dyneema and Spectra line have a specific gravity less than 1 and will float in water. All of the listed fibers are extremely light weight, considerably less than that of wire, rod, or chain.
  •  Non Corrosive – A significant benefit of synthetic strength members is their anticorrosive properties.. Vectran, Dyneema, Plasma, Spectra and Kevlar Cables survive marine and corrosive environments.
  •  Chemical Resistant – Many high performance fibers such as Spectra, Dyneema, Plasma, Kevlar, Vectran, Technora, Twaron are stable in harsh environments and each have unique chemical resistant properties.
  •  Fatigue Resistance – Synthetic fibers offer exceptional bending and tensile fatigue resistance beyond any metal wire, rod or cable. Nylon, Polyester, Dyneema, Vectran, Spectra, Kevlar, Technora, Twaron fibers perform.
  •  Non Kinking – unlike steel wire synthetic cables will not kink which improves performance and life of the cable.
  •  Safer Handling – No fish hooks or jaggers combined with lighter weight and flexibility makes these ropes and cables easier to handle and much safer which reduces the potential for workplace injuries.
  •  Non Conductive Non Magnetic – Synthetic fibers are an isolator. Vectran cord and Dyneema cord for example has been used in medical environments that can be sensitive to conductivity and magnetism.
  •  Low/No Creep – Length tolerance is an important factor in many applications. Vectran cord and Vectran rope can be produced with virtually no creep. Twaron, Technora, and Kevlar ropes are also excellent choices where creep is a concern.
  •  Low Stretch – All high modulous fibers have exceptionally low stretch properties. Nylon and Polyester provide higher stretch properties.
  •  Heat Resistant – Many of these fibers can handle exposure to temperatures over 1000 degrees and will not burn. PBO cable and Zylon ropes for example will char at over 1000 degrees F.
  •  Abrasion Resistant – HMPE fibers like Dyneema cord and Spectra rope have excellent abrasion resistance.
  •  Dampening – Synthetic fiber cables have excellent shock absorption and load dampening properties. These ropes cables and cords have absorption properties that can dampen up to 30 times that of steel and wire.

Spectra® is a registered trademark of Honeywell.
Plasma® is a registered trademark of Cortland Cable Companies.
Dyneema® is a registered trademark of DSM Dyneema.
Vectran® is a registered trademark of Kuraray.
Kevlar® is a registered trademark of DuPont.
Twaron® and Technora® are registered trademarks of Teijin.