Ropes and Tension Members

Ropes and Tension Members are used to carry loads on moorings, towed sleds and devices lowered over-the-side of ships. Fiber ropes, wire ropes and chains are examples of flexible tension members. Synthetic fiber ropes are made from Nylon, Dacron, Polypropylene, Kevlar, Vectran and Spectra. Considerations in selecting a material are strength, weight/buoyancy, and stretch. Synthetic fiber ropes can be terminated by eye splicing or by socketing with epoxy.

Wire ropes are typically made from high strength carbon steel but stainless steel and other alloys are sometimes used. They are much more cut and abrasion resistant then fiber ropes. They are terminated with eyes, swaged sockets, and zinc or resin poured sockets.

Chains made of steel can provide even higher levels of strength and cut/abrasion resistance. They are typically terminated with shackles but other fittings such as links, rings, and swivels are also used.

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