Advanced Rope Materials

"High strength fiber ropes and cables have gained acceptance for many static and quais-static applications such as antenna tower guys, ship handling cables and Navy Lifelines. There are many dynamic cable applications where wire rope is currently used thatcan realize an improved performance spectrum by substituting an improved non-metallic cable. It is generally recognized that high modulus fiber cables are less resistant to lateral damage than their steel counterparts. This study will examine the factorsin the design of a synthetic rope that can improve their resistance to internal and external abrasion and compressive stresses associated with winding over sheaves and wrapping on and off a cable winch drum under tension. Based upon comparative test data,recommendations will be made for the design of tougher non-metallic ropes. The research proposed herein will provide benefits in two ways. Firstly, current designs of tow cables and other dynamic strength members can be improved by having a betterunderstanding of the mechanisms that lead to loss of strength integrity in such cables. The methods developed to make non-metallic cables tougher can be incorporated into existing cable designs to make them last longer. The second benefit will be toprovide cables for applications once thought to require steel, such as crane and winch cables and running rigging for sailing vessels. The successful development of ways to ruggedize non-metallic cables will lead to their acceptance in new applications."