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Rope Comparison Charts

CORDAGE SIZES
Size MM* Diameter Circumference**
2 1/16" 3/16"
2 ½ 5/64" 1/4"
3 3/32" 5/16"
3 ½ 7/64" 11/32"
4 1/8" 3/8"
4 ½ 9/64" 7/16"
5 5/32" 1/2"
5 ½ 11/64" 17/32"
6 3/16" 5/8"
7 7/32" 11/16"
8 1/4" 3/4"
9 9/32" 7/8"
10 5/16" 1"
12 3/8" 1-1/8"
14 7/16" 1-1/4"
16 1/2" 1-1/2"
18 9/16" 1-3/4"
20 5/8" 2"
  3/4" 2-1/4"
  7/8" 2-3/4"
  1" 3"
  1-1/8" 3-1/2"
  1-1/4" 3-3/4"
  1-5/16" 4"
  1-1/2" 4-1/2"
  1-5/8" 5"
  1-3/4" 5-1/2"
  2" 6"
  2-1/8" 6-1/2"
  2-1/4" 7"
  2-1/2" 7-1/2"
  2-5/8" 8"
  2-7/8" 8-1/2"
  3" 9"
  3-1/4"-3-5/16" 10"
  3-1/2"-3-5/8" 11"
  4" 12"
  4-1/4"-4-5/16" 13"
  4-1/2"-4-5/8" 14"
  5" 15"
  5-1/4"-5-5/16" 16"
  5-1/2"-5-5/8" 17"
  6" 18"

*Generally used only for braided cords, clothesline and sash cords.

**Cordage Instutitute uses refernece size number which is the approximate circumference of the rope.


STRENGTH
  Breaking Tenacity Dry (grams/denier) Wet Strength vs. Dry Strength Shock Load Absorption Ability
Manila 5.0-6.0 Up to 120% Poor
Sisal 4.0-5.0 Up to 120% Poor
Cotton 2.0-3.0 85-90% Very Poor
Nylon 7.0-9.5 100% Excellent
Polyester 7.0-9.5 100% Good
Polypropylene 6.5 100% Very Good
Polyethylene 6.0 100% Fair
Aramid* 18-26.5 95% Poor
UHMWPE** 30.00 100% Fair

WEIGHT
  Specific Gravity Floats
Manila 1.38 No
Sisal 1.38 No
Cotton 1.54 No
Nylon 1.14 No
Polyester 1.38 No
Polypropylene 0.91 Yes
Polyethylene 0.65 Yes
Aramid* 1.44 No
UHMWPE** 0.97 Yes

*Based on Dupont Kevlar® data.

**Based on Allied Signal Spectra® data - Type 900. Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene.

***Resistance is relative to the length of the exposure, percent of concentration and temperature.


EFFECTS OF MOISTURE
  Water Absorption of Individual Fibers Dielectric Properties
Manila Up to 100% Very Poor
Sisal Up to 100% Very Poor
Cotton Up to 100% Very Poor
Nylon 2-8% Poor
Polyester <1% Good
Polypropylene None Excellent
Polyethylene None Excellent
Aramid* 3.5-7% Poor
UHMWPE** None Excellent

DEGREDATION
  Resistance to UV in Sunlight Resistance to Rot and Mildew Storage Requirements
Manila Good Poor Dry Only
Sisal Good Poor Dry Only
Cotton Good Poor Dry Only
Nylon Good Excellent Wet or Dry
Polyester Excellent Excellent Wet or Dry
Polypropylene Poor Excellent Wet or Dry
Polyethylene Poor Excellent Wet or Dry
Aramid* Fair Excellent Wet or Dry
UHMWPE** Fair Excellent Wet or Dry

THERMAL PROPERTIES
  Melts at
Manila Does not melt - Chars at 350°
Sisal Does not melt - Chars at 350°
Cotton Does not melt - Chars at 300°
Nylon 420° - 480°
Polyester 490° - 500°
Polypropylene 330°
Polyethylene 275°
Aramid* 800° Begins to Decompose
UHMWPE** 297°

ABRASION RESISTANCE
  Surface Internal
Manila Good Fair
Sisal Fair Fair
Cotton Poor Fair
Nylon Very Good Excellent
Polyester Excellent Excellent
Polypropylene Good Good
Polyethylene Good Good
Aramid* Fair Fair
UHMWPE** Very Good Excellent

OVERALL RESISTANCE
  Resistance to Acids Resistance to Alkalis Resistance to Oils and Gas
Manila Poor Poor Poor
Sisal Poor Poor Fair
Cotton Poor Fair Poor
Nylon Fair Very Good Very Good
Polyester Good Fair Very Good
Polypropylene Excellent Excellent Very Good
Polyethylene Excellent Excellent Very Good
Aramid* Fair Fair Very Good
UHMWPE** Excellent Excellent Very Good

ELONGATION
  Percent at Break Creep
Manila 10-12% Very Low
Sisal 10-12% Very Low
Cotton 5-12% Very Low
Nylon 18-25% Moderate
Polyester 12-15% Low
Polypropylene 12-15% High
Polyethylene 15-25% High
Aramid* 1.5-3.6% Very Low
UHMWPE** 3.5% Moderate