When choosing materials for small outdoor mechanical cable applications, it is crucial to use products that can withstand harsh elements like heat, wind, and moisture while being cost-effective, lightweight, and non-corrosive. Dacron® is a high-strength, low-cost polyester that produces durable, lightweight materials ideal for outdoor use, such as Dacron® rope and assemblies. These products are well-suited to endure all weather conditions, are nonconductive and nonmagnetic, making them the perfect choice for various industries requiring outdoor applications and affordability.
Dacron®, while flexible, is relatively low-stretch, when considering it is a fiber material. Providing your application's tolerance is met, Dacron’s low-stretch characteristics ensure the material doesn't flex beyond its intended length, thus introducing slack or tension problems later.
When exposed to direct and constant sunlight, Dacron® rope will not deteriorate because the material also possesses excellent abrasion and ultraviolet resistance characteristics. The material’s abrasion protection properties helps prevent rust or other deteriorating factors more common among metal alternatives.
Dacron® Rope's Breaking Strength Minimums
Dacron® produces a number of rope options, comprising varying tolerances and breaking strengths, from between 40 and 90 pound minimums.
While looking over breaking strengths minimums, you’ll also have to consider cable diameter. Often, the size of the rope's diameter plays a significant role in improving your assembly’s breaking strength-minimum.
In terms of breaking strength-minimum, the top performing Dacron® cable offers a max of 90 pounds. It also has a slender profile, with a cable diameter of 0.060 inches, which is among the thickest cable produced by Dacron.
Other breaking strength-minimums include a 40 pound minimum, at 0.042-inch cable diameters, and several 50-pound breaking strength-minimums, some of which have a small cable diameter of 0.033 inches. The variety of breaking strength minimums and rope diameters provide several options for outdoor operations.
Why Dacron® is the Superior Choice for Outdoor Application
It is important to point out that Dacron® is a fiber material, not a metal. Using a fiber-based material is key when it comes to outdoor use because it is more resistant to punishing and varying weather conditions. Metals, by comparison, even when a protective coating is applied, will eventually begin to break down from constant exposure to moisture and other corrosive environmental variables (especially when salt is involved). Dacron® does not share the same weaknesses. It also will not rust like some metals, which allows Dacron® rope to maintain its continual strength, without experiencing a metals-like reduction in strength performance over time.
Dacron® rope is especially useful in small-diameter marine applications because again, it tolerates harsh weather and moisture so well. It is often used in tethering applications because it is nonmagnetic, light-weight, and low-cost.
Invest In Quality Dacron® Rope and Assemblies
The main reasons to consider Dacron® cable for outdoor use include:
- Tolerance within most weather conditions
- Relatively low-stretch fiber
- Flexibility
- Available in a number of thicknesses, colors and minimum-breaking strengths
If you're on the lookout for durable rope capable of handling most small-diameter outdoor applications, check out the available selection of custom Dacron® rope at Carl Stahl Sava Industries today. We manufacture our braided Dacron® rope assemblies to meet the highest quality assurance standards.
