Rope Characteristics

Ultrex is a 12-strand single braid of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber from DSM Protective Materials and enhanced with Yale’s Maxijacket High Performance coating, which supplies superior abrasion resistance. Ultrex’s braid angles and twist level are designed to optimize break strength and keep stretch low.

UHMWPE is the most forgiving high-modulus fiber, giving better sheave-cycling capabilities than other high-tech fibers. Ultrex has zero water absorption and maintains its flexibility even in freezing conditions. As is the case for most Yale ropes, the strengths shown in the charts are for spliced ropes.


Breaking Strengths

Diameter
(Inches)		 Weight
(Lbs/100f)		 Average Spliced Break Strength*
(Lbs)		 Minimum Spliced Break Strength*
(Lbs)		 Maximum Working Load 5:1**
(Lbs)
1/16 0.1 800 720 160
1/8 0.3 2,200 1,980 440
5/32 0.5 3,400 3,060 680
3/16 1.0 6,000 5,400 1,200
1/4 1.7 10,000 9,000 2,000
5/16 2.4 14,800 13,320 2,960
3/8 3.6 20,000 18,000 4,000
7/16 4.6 26,500 23,850 5,300
1/2 6.4 37,400 33,660 7,480
9/16 8.0 45,000 40,500 9,000
5/8 9.5 53,000 47,700 10,600
3/4 14.0 75,000 67,500 15,000
7/8 17.9 98,000 88,200 19,600
1 24.2 120,000 108,000 24,000
1-1/8 28.8 148,000 133,200 29,600
1-1/4 33.9 172,000 154,800 34,400
1-5/16 41.8 184,000 165,600 36,800
1-1/2 55.4 254,000 229,320 50,960
1-5/8 62.0 293,000 263,700 58,600
1-3/4 75.4 330,000 297,000 66,000
2 91.3 390,000 351,000 78,000
* Knots and abrupt bends significantly reduce the strength of all ropes and lower the maximum working load.
** Working load is based on static or moderately dynamic lifting/pulling operations. Instantaneous changes in load, up or down, in excess of 10% of the rope’s rated working load constitute hazardous shock load and would void the normal working-load recommendation. Consult Yale Cordage for guidelines for working loads and the safe use of rope.
Diameter
(mm)		 Weight
(Kg/100m)		 Average Spliced Break Strength*
(kg)		 Minimum Spliced Break Strength*
(kg)		 Maximum Working Load 5:1**
(kg)
2 0.2 360 324 72
3 0.5 995 896 199
4 0.8 1,540 1,386 308
5 1.5 2,720 2,448 544
6 2.5 4,540 4,086 908
8 3.6 6,715 6,044 1,343
10 5.3 9,080 8,172 1,816
11 6.8 12,030 10,827 2,406
13 9.6 16,975 15,278 3,395
14 11.9 20,430 18,387 4,086
16 14.1 24,060 21,654 4,812
19 20.8 34,050 30,645 6,810
22 26.7 44,490 40,041 8,898
25 36.0 54,480 49,032 10,896
29 42.9 67,190 60,471 13,438
32 50.5 78,085 70,277 15,617
33 62.2 83,535 75,182 16,707
38 82.5 115,675 104,108 23,135
41 92.3 133,020 119,718 26,604
44 112.2 149,820 134,838 29,964
51 136.0 177,060 159,354 35,412
* Knots and abrupt bends significantly reduce the strength of all ropes and lower the maximum working load.
** Working load is based on static or moderately dynamic lifting/pulling operations. Instantaneous changes in load, up or down, in excess of 10% of the rope’s rated working load constitute hazardous shock load and would void the normal working-load recommendation. Consult Yale Cordage for guidelines for working loads and the safe use of rope.

Rope Details

Fiber Type: UHMWPE from DSM Protective Materials
Elongation at WL: 0.6%
Elongation at Ult Break: 2.7 – 3.0%
Specific Gravity: 0.97 g/cc
Dielectric Strength: The maximum allowable leakage for clean, dry Ultrex is 75 micro-amperes when tested at 100kV per Yale Method 712-1701 Rev 1 “Routine Production Test.” Absorbed and entrained moisture or impurities will increase the rope’s conductivity dramatically.

Rope Benefits

Low elongation
Zero water absorption
Light weight allows rope to be set in by helicopter
Superior abrasion resistance with Maxijacket HP coating
Maintains flexibility even in freezing conditions
High tensile strength
Superior wear life

Elastic Elongation

The coloured area under the curve represents the rope’s energy absorption capability.

Green Working 318 ft. lbs/lb.
Red Ultimate 8,300 ft. lbs/lb.
Maximum Working Load
Minimum Break Strength
Average Break Strength