The Life Of a Rope

[chris_girard]

I've got a theoretical question for you guys on how long a stored rope not in use can last.

Lets say you purchase a large 3/4" double braid for a big wood job, use it on the job and everything goes well. All the pieces that you cut are well within the SAFE WLL. After the job the rope goes into storage and may not be needed again for years.

How long would you consider a "safe shelf life" for this rope would be? Don Blair in his great book "Arborist Equipment" says that four years for all ropes under all conditions seems reasonable. I do not think that this would apply to a rope not in use. Common sense would tell me that the rope should last for quite some time.

What do you guys think?

 

[rbtree]

I'm not sure, but I think there would be no strength loss whatsoever in a stored rope.

 

[chris_girard]

I would agree. Maybe I should check with a rope manufactuer, like Samsom Rope and see what they think?

 

[Redbull]

Let us know what they say. I'm curious myself.

 

[Stumper]

The makers of rock climbing gear label their textile products with stuff such as -Retire when damaged or 5 years after putting into service, or ten years of date of manufacture if stored unused. While all things degrade we know that synthetic fibers degrade VERY slowly if they are not exposed to UV light. The 10 years/5 years stuff is very conservative CYA.

 

[Diesel JD]

The makers of rock climbing gear label their textile products with stuff such as -Retire when damaged or 5 years after putting into service, or ten years of date of manufacture if stored unused. While all things degrade we know that synthetic fibers degrade VERY slowly if they are not exposed to UV light. The 10 years/5 years stuff is very conservative CYA.

As it should be if life and safety are involved....otherwise teh use it till it breaks rule is in effect!

 

[Dadatwins]

Good question, I am guessing a big factor would be where the rope is being stored also. Is it riding around in a truck tool box or stored outside in a shed? The ideal storage situation I would think the rope should be coiled, but not knotted, layed flat, not hanging, in a cool dark place free from moisture.

 

[ArtB]

"theoretical question "

Since it is just theoretical, polyester, nylon, dacron, etc. all behave according to the same chemical strength reduction with age, which is logarithmic with temperature. Roughly, for every ten degrees C the storage temperature is increased, the storage life is cut in half. Like inferred before, if you store it in a truck toolbox parked in So. CA sun, 5 years may be "stretching" the lifetime. If you store it in your refigerator, it 'theoretically' will last many decades.

BTW, same thing with dry cell batteries, keep all my flashlight/toy/electronics batteries in the freezer till needed.

 

[Diesel JD]

I think UV, heat and moisture are what kills ropes. Have some heavy twisted braids in my boat...bear in mind these are not for climbing and I would never use them for that) but they have broken down to the point that they will not even hold up to being pulled on or used at the dock...but it took the 20 years or so to get to this point...other ropes I have stored in teh garage...far from ideal, but out of the sun and moisture....are still great after 3-4 years or so.

 

[CoreyTMorine]

I've always been under the impression that direct contact with cement will cause a rope to break down faster. I don't remember where i heard that, but i never leave my ropes on a concrete floor.

My regular hvy pull line is a 1" dbl braid, nylon i think. My dad got it from a guy for doing a tree next to where we were working, that was at least 15 years ago. The guy got it from "Sanville" a concrete company. It was apparently part of rope stock used to prestress bridges. I dont know if it was used or how old it actually is, but i've used it to pull big oak trees over with an excavator. Its in my truck right now, waiting to pull another tree.

Hey Cris, how come your post counter is broken? Whadja do, flip it at 10,000?

 

[chris_girard]

I too agree that you should not store any lines on cement.

Corey, I only use nylon lines in tree work when working near power lines, and I have no idea about my post counter.