External abrasion testing of fiber ropes

Synthetic fiber ropes are attractive alternatives to wire rope in many marine applications because they are much lighter in weight, don't corrode, and are more elastic. However, resistance to external abrasion is a concern. There is need for a test method for quantifying the abrasion resistance of fiber ropes. A rope external abrasion test method was developed in the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) Hawser Standards Development program. That method was not formally adopted and published by OCIMF. A wheel covered by a wire screen is placed against the rope, and the rope is lightly tension. The wheel is rotated 100 times, and then it is removed. The rope is then tensioned in order to determine its residual strength. The wire screen provides a replicable, replaceable abrasion media which does not change appreciably during the abrasion test. It produces friction, fusion, and tearing forms of abrasion, typical of those experienced in service by marine hawsers. Abrasion test trials were run on 8-strand ropes and double braid ropes made of nylon, polyester, and polypropylene. The polyester ropes suffered slightly less strength loss than the nylon and polypropylene ropes. The 8-strand ropes exhibited significantly better abrasion performance.