When deciding what materials to use in small, outdoor mechanical cable applications, it is critical to use products capable of withstanding harsh elements like heat, wind and moisture, while also remaining cost-effective, light-weight and non corrosive. Dacron® is a high-strength, low-cost polyester that produces a number of durable, lightweight materials suitable for outdoor use, like Dacron® rope, cord and assemblies. These products are well-suited to withstand all weather conditions, are nonconductive and nonmagnetic, making them the ideal choice for a range of industries where outdoor applications, and low-cost are requirements.
Benefits of Using Dacron® Cord and Assemblies
Here are some of the top reasons Dacron® is ideal for outdoor use:
- Durability and strength
- Nonconductive
- Nonmagnetic
- Resistant to abrasion
- Lightweight
- Cost-effective
Dacron®, while flexible, is relatively low-stretch, when considering it is actually a fiber material. Providing the tolerance of your application 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® cord will not deteriorate because the material possesses excellent abrasion and ultraviolet resistance characteristics as well. The material’s abrasion protection properties helps prevent rust or other deteriorating factors more common among metal alternatives.
Breaking Strength Minimums
Dacron® produces a number of cord options, comprising varying tolerances and breaking strengths, from between 40 and 90 pound minimums.
While looking over breaking strengths minimums, you’ll have to also be considerate of cable diameter. Often, the size of the cord'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 cord diameters provide a number of options for outdoor operations.
Excellent In All Industries
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® cord to maintain its continual strength, without experiencing a metals-like reduction in strength performance over time.
Dacron® cord 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® Cord 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 cord capable of handling most small-diameter outdoor applications, check out the available selection of custom Dacron® cord at Carl Stahl Sava Industries today. We manufacture our braided Dacron® cord assemblies to meet the highest quality assurance standards.
