Polyester Rope

Polyester Rope

Polyester is a highly flammable material and should not be used in applications involving proximity to fire or flame-inducing materials. Despite this deficiency, polyester rope features excellent chemical resistance as well as resistance to rot, mildew and even some acids that would damage other synthetic rope materials. Polyester rope also features excellent abrasion resistance and UV damage resistance, good dielectric strength, high weather resistance and the ability to retain strength when wet. All of these characteristics and more make polyester rope an excellent choice for applications such as hoisting, stringing, climbing and more in a wide range of industries including marine, industrial, agricultural, construction and recreation.

In order to fabricate polyester rope, the polyester material must first be produced. For the formation of polyester, two main chemicals must be mixed together: ethylene glycol and dimethyl terephthalate. These two materials produce a chemical reaction when mixed together that results in the new material of bisterephthalate. This new material is then heated to 270º F (132º C), and upon heating the bisterephthalate becomes polyethylene terephthalate, which must afterwards be synthesized in order to form polyester. Polyester rope is then manufactured from this material in either a twisted or braided configuration. In a twisted configuration, three strands of polyester are coiled together in the same direction, although the fibers must twist in the opposite direction as that of the strands in order to produce a balanced rope. In order to prevent unraveling, twisted polyester rope must be fused or taped on the ends. In a braided configuration, there are two main types: a diamond braid and a solid braid. In a diamond braid, the ends of rope are weaved over and under. When the rope is weaved around a core, it cannot be spliced. However, if there is no core, the rope can be spliced and it is then referred to as a "hollow braid".