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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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°

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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

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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

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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