Cordage Breaking Strengths

[Enigma1]

Did you get the stuff I sent?

Once I remember that blokes name I'll post it up. You'll know it once I name him.

 

[Aussie Forager CQ]

Did you get the stuff I sent?

Once I remember that blokes name I'll post it up. You'll know it once I name him.

Hi mate, I picked the pieces up yesterday. They look very nice! Looks very strong, especially being three ply. They might be a bit short but I will play around with them and see if we can still do a test.that length will be well and truly long enough if you have already knotted or spliced the ends. I won't be back in town till next week to tear them, will update you then. Feel free to send through as manyore as you like.

 

[Aussie Forager CQ]

Well I have finally gotten around to testing the pieces that Enigma1 sent in! They were a bit short to test spliced or with a knot in each end so I did them in a loop with a sheet bend.



Test #23

Maker - Enigma1
Material - Restio
Construction - 3 ply
Average Minimum Diameter - 2.5mm
Test Configuration - *Single loop tied with a Sheet Bend.

Result

It broke at the Sheet Bend at approx. 25kg

Test #24

Maker - Enigma1
Material - Gymnostachys
Construction - 3 ply
Average Minimum Diameter - 4.5mm
Test Configuration - *Single loop tied with a Sheet Bend.

Result

It broke at the carabiner at approx. 80kg!

 

[Wentworth]

This is still a great thread. Do any of the pieces used have add in fibres? if so, how does that change the strength tested?

 

[Aussie Forager CQ]

This is still a great thread. Do any of the pieces used have add in fibres? if so, how does that change the strength tested?

So far the pieces I have made have not had any fibres spliced in (from memory). I dont think the last two did but we would have to ask Enigma1 to be sure....

I have gone without splices to remove the variable of a poorly done splice in the test results. Theoretically though, I believe that if the splices are done correctly it shouldn't affect the strength of the cordage. However I know from experience that if they are not done well enough they will prove to be the weakest link and will be where the cordage breaks, even when a knot is tied. It would be good to do more tests to fine tune the variables of the splice e.g how much 'overlap' is actually needed before it is just wasting the fibre. It would be hard to test with small type fibres like sisal and finely stripped barks but it would be quite feasible with whole leaves like Lomandra when you can control the width of each leaf or just scaled up with large strips of bark. Hhmm got me interested now......e.g there's no point overlapping 30mm each time if 20mm would do. I would suggest that each material would have different results too....