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Introduction
This article will take an in-depth look at shock, bungee,
and elastic cords.
The article will bring more detail on topics such as:
What are Bungee Cords, Shock Cords, and Elastic Cords?
Types of Bungee Cords, Shock Cords & Elastic Cords
Uses and Benefits of Bungee Cords, Shock Cords & Elastic
Cords
And Much More…
Chapter 1: What are Bungee Cords, Shock Cords, and Elastic Cords
This chapter will discuss bungee cords, shock cords, elastic
cords and their manufacturing.
What is a Bungee Cord?
A bungee cord is a rope that is composed of two or more elastic
strands coated with a woven fabric. It has hooks that are placed
on both ends. A bungee cord is also known as shock cord and
elastic cord.
Usually, the elastic material is rubber and is bound by a fabric
sheath. As it is elastic in nature, the bungee cord is used in a
wide range of applications. It is commonly used to tie down the
luggage on the outside of the vehicle.
Manufacturing of Bungee Cords
The elastic strands of the bungee cord are made of rubber, can
be natural, synthetic, or even a configuration of both. It’s all
dependent on the use of a bungee cord. The outer woven sheath
can be made of any material such as polypropylene, cotton, or
nylon. These materials are helpful in protecting the outer
sheath and provide an extra stretch to the cord.
Raw Materials Used in Bungee Cord Manufacturing
The raw material that is used for making a bungee cord is
rubber, either synthetic or natural. Natural rubber, also known
as latex rubber, is typically a good choice because it has good
tensile strength and exceptional extensibility. It also has the
ability to return back to its original shape. These properties
make natural rubber an excellent material for bungee cords.
Latex rubber has a minimum resistance to sunlight and air. It
means that ultraviolet radiation can damage natural rubber.
On the other hand, synthetic rubber shows better resistance to
sunlight and air. But synthetic rubber such as neoprene shows
less tensile strength and flexibility than natural rubber. Due
to these reasons, natural rubber is used most of the time for
military specifications. Natural rubber is used for bungee
jumping also.
The coat of the bungee cord is a fabric covering that is made of
cotton or nylon yarn. This yarn is braided in construction. The
coating of fabric is different, and it is according to the
rope’s intended use. The bungee cords that are used commercially
have a single layer of nylon covering. A single layer of nylon
gives more resistance to abrasions and also has high tensile
strength. However, if the bungee cord is used for military
purposes and bungee jumping, then it has two layers of cotton
covering. Some specially designed bungee ropes have a natural
rubber covering, and this is braided in construction.
Design of Bungee Cord
The design of bungee rope is determined by its application. For
standard commercial bungee rope, a diameter from 0.25 inch to
0.62 inch is available. For military purposes, a diameter of
0.25 inch to 0.87 inches is available. Bungee cord used for
jumping purposes is 0.62 inches in diameter.
Stretch of Bungee Cord
Bungee cords are designed to stretch to specific lengths, with a
particular amount of elongation. The elongation of bungee rope
is determined by comparing it with the length of unstretched
length. For example, if a bungee cord can stretch to twice its
original length, it is said to have an elongation of 100%.
Manufacturing Process of Bungee Ropes
The manufacturing process of bungee cord has the following
steps:
Extruding Rubber Ribbons
The first step of the manufacturing process is extracting
rubber, either natural or synthetic. The rubber is then shaped
into long ribbons. The dimensions of the rubber ribbon are
0.09inch to 0.12 inch in thickness, 0.25 inch in width and up-to
100 ft long. The rubber is then placed into the extruder, which
consists of a heated cylinder. There are two ends in the
extruder, from one end of the cylinder the rubber moves under
pressure, and it is forced out through the other small hole of
the extruder. The hole, from which the pressed rubber is forced
out, is in the form of the desired shape. After this, the
cooling process is done and the rubber is shipped to the
manufacturers.
Preparing Rubber Ribbons
The tensile strength and the diameter of the bungee rope are
determined by the number of strands and ribbons that are placed
in the cord. For the braiding process, these strands are unwound
from the coils evenly. Sometimes, due to hot weather there are
certain chances for the strands to stick to each other. To avoid
such circumstances, these rubber strands are coated with finely
powdered talc or soapstone. This coating process is continuous
and ends with the end of the unwinding process.
Braiding the Cover
The next step is the braiding of the rubber strands. This
process is done in a machine called a braider. The free ends of
the rubber strands are put manually in the braider. On entering,
these rubber strands are gently squeezed with the help of
rollers and other devices that are placed in the braider. On the
output end, there is another roller or take up reel that pulls
the strands through the machine.
The rubber strands are kept under tension and slightly stretched
with the help of adjusted speed and pressure. This stretch and
tension help reduce the diameter of the rubber strands and allow
the fabric covering to be wounded tightly. The braider weaves
the yarn on the stretched rubber strand and covers the rubber
while it is passing through the machine. The covering must be
tightly woven, so that no dirt can enter the yarn gaps when the
cord is fully extended. If there is a need for two or more
coverings of the yarn, then it is done one after another. The
outer yarn covering can be colored or color coded as required by
the client.
Shipping Bungee Cord
When the bungee cord is manufactured, it is ready to be shipped.
The cord is cut to the required length, coiled and then placed
in a cardboard box. These cords are also placed in dark plastic
bags to protect them from sunlight, air, and ultraviolet
radiation.
Attaching End Fittings
The manufacturer does not attach the end fittings of the bungee
cord. The end fittings are done according to the requirement.
For bungee cords, used for luggage and equipment tie down, it is
first cut down into the required length. After cutting it, both
ends of the cord are doubled and coiled by a stiff wire. A wire
coiler machine does this coiling. After coiling, a J shaped hook
is placed at the end to make it secure. For bungee cord that is
used for jumping, a stretched cord is wound tightly by a strong
and waxed string known as whipping. The ends of the bungee cord
are bent around a non-metallic eye. Some other endings are to
sew the cord to the woven fabric webbing.
Quality Control of Bungee Cord
The quality control of bungee cord is dependent on the following
factors, which should be checked using:
Visual Inspection
Visual inspection of the cord means looking for any defect in
the cord which is clearly visible such as defects in rubber,
wrong coloring, gaps in a woven sheath or broken cord.
Bungee Testing
Testing of the bungee cord is very important to look for its
tensile strength, load capacity, and extension rate. It should
be done for all sorts of bungee cord, either commercial or for
military purposes. These factors can be checked easily by
attaching loads to the cord.
Color Coding and Labeling
Some companies make their own bungee cord and give color
accordingly. But the bungee cords that are used in the military
have special colors and these colors show their date of
manufacture. These cords become less efficient with age, and it
is recommended to ship these cords within six months of its
manufacture. Some colors such as green, yellow, red and blue are
given to the cord according to its manufacture date and are
revised now with some changes. However, it is believed that the
colors of the commercial bungee cords are just for decorative
purposes.
What is a Shock Cord?
A shock cord is a cord that is made from top quality rubber core
and a polyester cover, which makes it compact, durable, and
stable. Shock cords are suitable for many different applications
that include tethering tools to your harness and tying down
gear.
The polyester material used to make the outer cover of shock
cords is extremely abrasion-resistant, which totally protects
the inner rubber core. Shock cords are similar to bungee cords
in almost every way except that, bungee cords usually come with
a bungee cord hook. A shock cord can also be used in the
military field to absorb shocks of large cargo, parachutes, and
bungee jumping.
Shock Cord Features
The features of shock codes include:
Shock cords have a multi-purpose line that is perfect for
stringing or tethering accessories.
They are great for tie-downs.
They are a perfect way of keeping personal items off the
ground.
They are constructed from top-quality rubber core
surroundings.
They feature a protective 100% polyester sheath.
They are very elastic and are made for situations in which
stretch and elastic properties are required.
Shock cords are small and light in weight.
They are not typically used in life safety applications.
Shock cords are not intended or certified for use that
involves jumping, climbing, or rappelling.
What is an Elastic Cord?
Elastic cords are smaller cords with a smaller diameter as
compared to shock/bungee cords. They are best utilized for
smaller crafts that include making jewelry such as necklaces and
bracelets. They are used in the making of headbands, lanyards,
or signs for decorating a classroom, dorm room, or living space.
There are also smaller shock cords, but larger shock cords can
be used for tying down tarps, tents, and objects in the bed of a
trailer or truck. A shock cord may not be suitable for use when
securing a load depending on the load and height of the items in
transport. Both shock cords and elastic cords can be used in
numerous DIY projects, such as organizing utensils in the
kitchen, bundling up toys, and holding up things in a fixed
place like a bike in a garage.
Differences Between Elastic and Shock Cords
Elastic cords may be similar to shock cords in the sense of the
materials they are made from, but shock cords have longer
stretches or elongations than elastic cords. The typical
elongation of a shock cord is 100% or it can stretch to twice
its original length, while the typical elongation of elastic
cords is 50% or they can stretch to one and half times their
original length.
This chapter will discuss the different types of bungee cords,
shock cords, and elastic cords.
Types of Bungee Cords and Shock Cords
The types of bungee cords, which are also categorized as shock
cords, include:
Adjustable Bungee Cords
These types of bungee cords have lengths that can be altered
depending on the application requirements. They usually come
with a maximum length of 32 inches (including the hook) and they
can be adjusted down to a length of 10 inches. They provide
flexibility for household and light-duty jobs.
Adjustable bungee cords have lighter tension as compared to
heavy-duty cords, so they can be stretched easily to fit a
variety of tasks. Each cord has a thickness of 8 mm with a hook
on both ends. The hooks are made from metal and they are covered
in a non-scratch coating that protects them from scrapes. These
types of bungee cords are affordable and useful picks for
everyday tasks. The tasks include household storage, securing
gear, and hiking backpack.
Heavy Duty Bungee Cords
These types of bungee cords are designed with a comfortable
plastic finger hole for safe handling. The cord can be stretched
without the cord slipping because of the allowance given by the
finger grip. This is a safety concern that is common with bungee
cords.
The hooks have strong metal cores and plastic coatings that
prevent scratches. These cords usually come in lengths that are
32 to 48 inches. The material used to make these cords is
UV-resistant, latex blend, and cross-woven rubber designed to
not become thin or brittle with use over time. These bungee
cords are tough and suit indoor and outdoor uses in different
climates. For easy storage and portability, these cords have a
zippered carrying case.
Heavy Duty Bungee Cords with Hooks
These types of bungee cords come in lengths ranging from 7 to 70
inches. The premium rubber core is surrounded by an abrasion
resistant cover for long lasting use. Their hooks are adjustable
and are reinforced by fiber.
The hooks are also UV stabilized and include a finger grip for
safe handling. The hooks have a patented locking design that is
easy to adjust. To adjust the hooks, no ties, knots, or
mechanical ratchets are required; they are just slid to the
length desired, and then the cord is pulled to lock it into
position. The length can also be changed while the bungee cord
is in use. These types of bungee cords are suitable for
application indoors or outdoors.
Marine Grade Shock Cords with Hooks
These types of bungee cords are made to withstand tough
conditions. The cover of the cord is made from high-grade Dacron
polyester sheath.
This sheath is resistant to ultraviolet radiation, moisture,
oils, chemicals and abrasion. This Dacron polyester is a
synthetic fiber of low stretch and high strength. This sheathing
allows good performance of the cord during prolonged use
outdoors. The safety standards are met by this cord.
Mini Bungee Cord
The rubber core of these types of bungee cords is premium grade
and long-lasting. The woven outer sheath is resistant to
ultraviolet radiation to withstand outdoor conditions and
repeated use. They usually come in 10 inch lengths with
dichromate steel hooks that resist warping under tension. The
cords are available in a broad range of bright and eye-catching
colors.
They combine visibility and utility to fit a variety of
household jobs. They are used around the home for everyday jobs
like securing, organizing, and performing other small tasks.
Indoors, they are utilized for storage like organizing a
workshop or garage. Because the bungee cords are able to resist
ultra violet radiation, they can be utilized outdoors for
securing a tarp, camping, and many other applications.
Super Duty Shock Cord with Carabiner Hook
These types of bungee cords feature two steel carabiner hooks
that have a wide-mouth design. They are much stronger compared
to conventional bungee cord hooks and establish secure
attachments.
The hook and latches are kept in place by the spring loaded
closure, once attached. This functions to prevent the accidental
release of the hooks, making this bungee cord a particularly
safe pick. The base of the hook features a molded grip, which
increases strength and security to the user. These types of
bungee cords come in 48 inch lengths and are designed to
withstand ultra violet rays and weather damage. They are
composed of premium rubber that remains elastic for repeated
use. These types of bungee cords are used for home,
recreational, and work use when a reliable hook is required.
Types of Elastic Cords
The types of elastic cords include:
Polyester Cord
This cord has an elastic core. The polyester used to coat this
cord is found in a wide variety of colors. This type of elastic
cord is used for hair accessories and other applications in
which the cord remains visible in the finished design. This cord
cannot be used for long lasting jewelry.
Stretch Floss
This type of elastic cord is found in a variety of colors but
not a lot of sizes. The most common sizes available are 0.5mm
and 0.7mm, which suit smaller beads. Unlike stretch magic,
stretch floss is constructed by multiple strands of stretchy
material woven together. This will increase its elasticity and
make it easier to knot than single strand cords.
Stretch Magic
This is the most common elastic code that is rubbery, round, and
made up of a single strand. These types of cords are perfectly
used with large beads. Stretch magic can be slightly more
difficult to knot tightly compared with other types of elastic
cords. But this type of elastic cord is reliable. These cords
can be kept tied by using a surgeon’s knot, with an extra half
knot.
Leading Manufacturers and Suppliers
Chapter 3: Uses and Benefits of Bungee Cords, Shock Cords &
Elastic Cords
This chapter will discuss the uses and benefits of
bungee/shock/elastic cords.
Uses of Bungee Cords
The different uses of bungee cords are:
Store Canning Rings
A bungee cord can be used to hang up canning rings. This is a
convenient way of storing your canning rings as it keeps them
out of the way. This is a much better way of storing them since
they can be easily accessed, rather than storing them in the
bottom of a dark drawer.
Hang Paper Towels
Bungee cords can be used for making a temporary holder for paper
towels. Usually short bungee cords suit this application. The
cord is just slid through the center of the roll and then hooked
into something that is sturdy at both ends. This is a convenient
way for keeping paper towels handy for camping or at outdoor
parties.
Mat Carrier
A bungee cord can be used to make a handy strap for a mat. The
center of the cord is held along the center of the mat. Both
ends of the cord are pulled around the mat, and hooked to the
section held against the mat. The mat is kept rolled up, which
creates a great carrying handle.
Road Trip Entertainment
A bungee cord can be used to hang a baby’s favorite toys to
entertain the baby. The bungee cord is stringed up between the
handles in the back seat. The baby toys are hanging from it. It
acts as a toy mobile that is perfect for the car.
Prevent Grocery Bag Spills
When groceries are loaded into a car, they can spill out of the
bags when you hit bumps. Using a bungee cord, you can easily
secure your groceries from being spilled out of the bags. By
feeding the bungee cord through both handles of each bag and
then securing the cord around the headrest of the car seat on
which the groceries are sitting, you can prevent them from
spilling out.
Keep Trash Bags Secure
Trash bags can slip down into garbage cans. This problem can be
fixed through a bungee cord. By putting the trash bag in place
and wrapping a bungee cord around the rim of the trash can, and
then hooking the cord to itself, the trash bag can be kept in
place.
Shelf Barrier
Using wire shelving is a great way to add extra storage in a
room. But the shelves can’t typically be filled too much because
things might topple right off the edges. This is when a bungee
cord comes into play. The bungee cord can be stringed across the
front end to prevent the items from toppling off the edges. This
way, more items can be kept on the shelf without having to worry
about them falling off.
Add Layers to Curtains
A bungee cord can be a great way of adding another layer to your
curtains without the installation of additional hardware. The
bungee cord is slid through the top of the curtain and hooked
into the curtain rod at either end. This way, you can easily add
a layer of blackout curtains behind your existing curtains. This
helps to block more light in a bedroom.
Cookie Sheet Storage
To save a lot of space in the kitchen, backing sheets are stored
vertically. This is when bungee cords come into play to create a
simple storage solution that is vertical for the baking sheets.
A few bungee cords are strung up vertically between shelves, and
then the baking sheets are slid between the cords.
Uses of Shock Cords
Shock codes are used in transportation to secure language. A
shock code can absorb shocks from bumps so that the items
being held cannot move around and break.
Shock cords are used to replace broken loops on zero gravity
chairs.
Shock cords are utilized in the replacement of chair straps.
For a running dog leash, shock cords are a great solution.
They can also be used for making headbands just like elastic
cords.
For the replacement of shoe laces, shock cords come into play.
For coiling up or pulling back fabric, shock cords are there
to provide a solution.
Shock cords can be used to make a ball rack in the house.
Uses of Elastic Cords
Elastic cords are used to make jewelry such as necklaces and
bracelets.
They are used to make headbands and lanyards.
Elastic cords are utilized in making signs for decorating a
classroom, dorm room, or living space.
Elastic cords can be used for organizing utensils in the
kitchen, bundling up toys, and holding up things in a fixed
place like a bike in a garage.
Benefits of Bungee Cords, Shock Cords & Elastic Cords
Bungee cords are strong and suitable when setting up tents,
tarps, rain flies, canopies, and other shelters.
Bungee cords reduce the stress put on eyelets that are on
tarps or tents, when used on camping shelters.
Bungee cords are capable of stretching while holding the tarp
in place when the wind is blowing.
When bungee cords are used as tie downs, the pull on a stake
is reduced while also reducing the tripping hazard.
Bungee cords are found in a great variety of affordable sizes
with durable construction.
Heavy duty bungee cords offer good stretch and are suitable
for commercial use.
Mini cords are cheap and are suitable for many projects due to
their convenient size. They also have good retention of
elasticity.
Carabiners stay in place, have durable construction, and have
comfortable grips
Adjustable bungee cords can be altered in length to suit the
application requirements, they have a wide shape that adds
strength and possess non-scratching hooks.
Drawbacks of Bungee Cords, Shock Cords & Elastic Cords
When used to hold equipment during traveling, shock cords can
allow the load to shift; putting the safety of surrounding
motorists at risk, as well as yourself and your belongings.
Many of the bungee cords do not come with a rating that lets
you know the magnitude of the weight they can hold.
Bungee cords will eventually stretch permanently with normal
use, and break when exposed to the sun, wind, rain, and
extreme temperatures.
The hooks of the bungee cords will end up being unreliable as
the cords themselves.
However, these drawbacks of bungee/shock/elastic cords are
outweighed by the advantages.
Considerations When Selecting Bungee, Shock, and Elastic Cords
The amount of stretch is an important factor to consider when
purchasing a shock/bungee/elastic cord. The elongation rating
is also a primary factor of importance when opting for a
bungee cord.
There is a general rule that says, the thicker the
shock/bungee/elastic cord is, and the harder it becomes to
stretch. Therefore be sure not to purchase a bungee cord with
a thickness that it can’t be stretched.
Not only the elasticity of the shock cord matters, but also
the material used to make the outer sheath is of massive
importance to its functionality. An outer sheath that can deal
with the conditions of the environment it will be used in is
needed. If the bungee cord is going to be used in potentially
inclement weather, an outer sheath that is resistant to water
and mold is required.
Visibility of the shock/bungee/elastic cord is another factor
that must be considered when purchasing a bungee cord. A
bungee cord that is highly visible may be required; in that
case the neon yellow shock cord would be the ideal choice.
Conclusion
Bungee cords, shock cords, and elastic cords may be constructed
from the same materials but have differences in their elasticity
and applications. Bungee cords are more suitable for outdoor use
in which great strength is required, whereas elastic cords
cannot withstand too much tension. Shock cords are not suited
for applications requiring great strength. They do suit
applications that require medium strength compared to bungee and
elastic cords. Elastic cords have a small diameter and are best
suitable for small crafts such as jewelry making. Lastly it is
important to make careful considerations when purchasing bungee,
shock, or elastic cords.
Leading Manufacturers and Suppliers
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