Strength and durability characteristics of ropes and cables from Kevlar® aramid fibers

The high strength, high modulus, low elongation, and light weight of Kevlar® 29 and 49 aramid fibers translate well into ropes and cables of many constructions, and have led to successful use of both mechanical ropes and electromechanical cables in the marine environment. Examples include buoy mooring lines, acoustic array cables and deep ocean work system cables. Ropes of Kevlar®, properly designed, can also have excellent creep and fatigue resistance and can give performance over sheaves superior to steel wire rope. Several terminations giving excellent static and fatigue properties have been identified. Technology for improved abrasion resistance is under development and recent data show excellent strength retention after sea water exposure.