Kevlar Rope, Kevlar Cord (braided)
In this category, you can order braided Kevlar ropes and Kevlar cords. Kevlar® is the brand name of a high-quality aramid fiber manufactured by DuPont de Nemours. Due to its special properties, this fiber can be used to produce products for a wide range of specialized applications. Among other things, extremely strong ropes, cords, lines, and hawsers are made from Kevlar.
Due to the chemical structure of the fibers, Kevlar ropes have a very high breaking load while exhibiting only minimal elongation under load. Furthermore, the material can withstand very high temperatures. For this reason, Kevlar cords and ropes are heat-resistant up to approximately 400 °C. Even at higher temperatures, Kevlar ropes do not melt or burn but begin to carbonize at around 500 °C. Not least, Kevlar®, widely known as a material for bulletproof vests, is highly resistant to punctures and cuts. Kevlar ropes therefore offer a certain degree of cut resistance and are also resistant to saltwater and many chemicals.
It is also particularly noteworthy that Kevlar ropes exhibit virtually no creep. Creep refers to an undesirable, non-reversible elongation of a rope due to prolonged static loads. Since Kevlar ropes remain permanently dimensionally stable even under continuous tensile loads, they are ideally suited for this type of application.
Material Properties of Aramid Fibers
- Material: Aramid (p-Aramids)
- Brand Names: Kevlar®, Technora®, Twaron®
- Density (Specific Gravity): 1.44 kg/dm³
- Buoyancy: No, not buoyant in water
- Water Absorption: 2 - 5 %
- Yarn Strength: 20 - 25 cN/dtex
- Loss of Strength Due to Moisture: 0 %
- Knot Strength: 30 - 40 %
- Elongation at Break: 2 - 4 %
- Abrasion Resistance: Sufficient
- Light Resistance: Poor (unsuitable for permanent outdoor use without protection)
- Resistance to Alkalis (Bases): Partially good resistance
- Resistance to Acids: Partially good resistance
- Resistance to Gasoline, Diesel, Lubricating Oil: Resistant, no impact
- Solvents: Resistant, minimal impact
- Washing Temperature: 80 - 90 °C
- Temperature Limit (Short-Term Exposure): ~400 °C
- Softening Temperature: Not applicable
- Melting Temperature: No melting or dripping, carbonizes at ~500 °C
- Electrical Insulation: Excellent insulating capability
What are aramids, or what are Kevlar ropes made of?
Aramid is a coined term for "Aromatic Polyamides." This refers to a group of particularly heat-resistant and high-strength synthetic polymers. The first aramids were brought to market maturity in the 1970s and have since been increasingly used in various applications. Today, there are essentially two major producers of aramids: the chemical companies DuPont de Nemours and Teijin Aramid.
Within the aramid family, three groups can be distinguished based on their chemical structure, which are relevant for technical applications. We have summarized them in the following overview.
Overview of the Different Types of Aramids
Designation | Abbreviation | Brand Name at DuPont | Brand Name at Teijin |
---|---|---|---|
Meta-Aramids | m-Aramid | Nomex® | Teijinconex® |
Para-Aramids | p-Aramid | Kevlar® | Twaron® |
Para-Aramid Copolymers | p-Aramid-Copolymer | - | Technora® |
While Nomex® and Teijinconex® have proven particularly effective for manufacturing fire-resistant clothing, Kevlar®, Technora®, and Twaron® are well-suited for producing high-strength ropes. At Kanirope, you can find ropes made from all three of these products from the two major manufacturers (see: product range overview).
What should be considered when using Kevlar ropes?
Kevlar®, like all aramids, has poor resistance to UV radiation. Exposure to UV radiation causes a visible discoloration from its original light yellow to a bronze-brown shade of the aramid fibers. While this discoloration forms a type of protective layer that shields the inner fibers, prolonged UV exposure can significantly reduce the strength of the aramid rope. This can be mitigated by using a protective sheath made from another material. For example, polyester fibers are largely resistant to sunlight and UV radiation.
Kevlar ropes are sensitive to bending, and excessively small bending radii can reduce their strength. Therefore, strong kinks and knots should be avoided to prevent damage and maintain the rope’s breaking load.
Kevlar fibers have a low water absorption of approximately 2 - 5%. This means that in humid or wet environments, the fibers absorb a small amount of water. However, this does not reduce their strength. Even when wet, a Kevlar rope retains its specified breaking load.
Applications and Examples of Kevlar Rope Usage
Kevlar ropes have a wide range of applications, primarily as a wire rope replacement and in areas requiring high breaking strength, abrasion resistance, light resistance, and resistance to creep (time- and temperature-dependent plastic deformation under constant load).
A polyester sheath protects the Kevlar core from UV damage, allowing the rope to be used permanently outdoors, which expands its application possibilities.
Guy rope, mast tension rope, flag cord, flag rope, flagpole line, control rope, pull rope, rope for sports equipment, awning rope, cord for awnings, umbrellas or sun sails, adjustment lines, stage construction, theater rigging, exhibition construction, reinforcement material for cables, cut protection, drive cord, cable pulling aid, anchoring, industry, construction and transport sector, mechanical engineering, model making, commercial shipping, on sports boats and sailing yachts, in tree care, fastening for advertising banners and tarps, sling rope, suspension rope, fastening rope, assembly rope, and much more.
Assortment Overview: Kevlar Ropes
Kanirope® PARABRAID
PARABRAID is a rope with a core made of braided Kevlar fibers, surrounded by a protective sheath of polyester fibers. While the rope core provides excellent tensile stability, the sheath ensures that the high-quality Kevlar fibers are adequately protected against abrasion and UV light.
Tabular Overview of Kevlar Ropes
Diameter | Product | Breaking Load | Construction | Available Lengths | Colors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ø 2 mm | PARABRAID | 190 daN (kg) | Sheath: Polyester, 16-strand braided; Core: Kevlar®, 8-strand braided | 100m, 500m | Black |
ø 3 mm | PARABRAID | 325 daN (kg) | Sheath: Polyester, 16-strand braided; Core: Kevlar®, 8-strand braided | By the meter, 100m, 500m | Black |
ø 4 mm | PARABRAID | 580 daN (kg) | Sheath: Polyester, 16-strand braided; Core: Kevlar®, 8-strand braided | By the meter, 100m, 500m | Black |
ø 5 mm | PARABRAID | 800 daN (kg) | Sheath: Polyester, 16-strand braided; Core: Kevlar®, 8-strand braided | By the meter, 100m, 500m | Black |
ø 6 mm | PARABRAID | 1,000 daN (kg) | Sheath: Polyester, 16-strand braided; Core: Kevlar®, 8-strand braided | By the meter, 100m, 250m, 500m | Black |
ø 8 mm | PARABRAID | 1,800 daN (kg) | Sheath: Polyester, 16-strand braided; Core: Kevlar®, 8-strand braided | By the meter, 100m, 250m | Black |
ø 10 mm | PARABRAID | 3,000 daN (kg) | Sheath: Polyester, 16-strand braided; Core: Kevlar®, 8-strand braided | By the meter, 100m, 250m | Black |
ø 12 mm | PARABRAID | 4,300 daN (kg) | Sheath: Polyester, 16-strand braided; Core: Kevlar®, 8-strand braided | By the meter, 100m, 250m | Black |
Other available ropes and cords made from aramid fibers in our range
Aramid Brand | Aramid Rope | Special Feature | Available Diameters |
---|---|---|---|
Technora® | TECBRAID | Core made of Technora® in parallel arrangement for exceptionally high dimensional stability | 3 - 5 mm |
Twaron® | ARABRAID | Braided cord made of 100% aramid (Twaron®), also available as a very thin, extremely tear-resistant cord | 0.4 - 6 mm |
Customised Production
Your desired product is not listed in our online shop? We can offer you a customised solution. In this case, we have the required rope manufactured specifically according to your requirements. The prerequisite is the purchase of at least one machine set per desired variant of the product. The delivery time for these customised orders is usually approximately two to three weeks.
We happily take care of your need for manual assembly as well. We can cut the rope to the lengths you require and provide additional ropework. Decorative knots, individual splices and whippings, special packaging and labelling can also be ordered from us. These services can be provided even in large quantities.
Please feel free to send us your enquiry now! We take the time to listen to you and answer your questions. We see each individual request of our customers as a challenge which we seek to meet. Through established partnerships with selected rope manufacturers, our many years of experience, efficiency, and flexibility, we are able to deliver on that promise.
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