UHMWPE ROPE
High-Strength UHMWPE / HMPE Rope for Your Marine, Towing, Winching and Heavy-Duty Applications
UHMWPE ROPE
- High Breaking Strength Up to 500T+
- 85% lighter than steel wire rope at same strength
- Great UV Resistance
- Float on Water
- Minimum Elongation(3~5% only)
- Easy Handling and Re-Splicing
- low water absorption
What Is UHMWPE Rope?
UHMWPE (Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene) rope is a high-strength synthetic rope known for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, low elongation, low density, and excellent resistance to moisture and many chemicals. Duracordix UHMWPE rope is made from this kind of UHMWPE fiber from different qualified suppliers from China or overseas (like DSM Dyneema)
Duracordix supplies you UHMWPE ropes in 8-strand, 12-strand, double-braided, and jacketed constructions for marine mooring, towing, winching, and industrial applications. Rope performance depends on fiber grade, construction, diameter, terminations, and operating conditions.
As a rope solution provider, Duracordix offers custom-made UHMWPE rope solution to solve your pain points in your project of marine mooring, tugboat towing, winch recovery and offshore heavy lifting, etc.
Hot Selling UHMWPE rope products
Technical Tabs
| Property | DURACORDIX Reference |
|---|---|
| Fiber | UHMWPE / HMPE |
| Typical Construction | 12-Strand / 8-Strand / Double Braid |
| Specific Gravity | Approx. 0.97 for standard UHMWPE construction |
| Floatability | Floating |
| Typical Elongation at Break | Approx. 3–5%, depending on construction |
| Water Absorption | None / negligible |
| UV Resistance | Good |
| Abrasion Resistance | Good to excellent, depending on construction and protection |
| Chemical Resistance | Excellent against many marine chemicals like oil,salt and else |
| Diameter | Available from small winch-rope sizes(6mm) to large marine rope sizes(120mm or bigger) |
| Length | 30m /150 m / 220 m / custom lengths for marine applications |
| Coating | DMX / PU / project-specific treatment |
| Protective Jacket | Polyester or UHMWPE options |
| Termination | Soft eye / reinforced eye / thimble / custom splice |
| Testing | Breaking load, elongation and batch testing available |
| Third-Party Inspection | Available according to project requirements like ABS,DNV,LR OR CCS |
| DIAMETER (mm) | DIAMETER (inch) | WEIGHT (kg/100m) | KETX Standard | Error | MBL (SPLICED)(Ton) | MBL (SPLICED)(kN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3/16 | 1.7 | 16.62 | ±5% | 2 | 19 |
| 6 | 1/4 | 2.3 | 23 | ±5% | 3.18 | 31 |
| 8 | 5/16 | 4.1 | 40 | ±5% | 6.35 | 63 |
| 9 | 23/64 | 5.1 | 50.5 | ±5% | 7.83 | 78 |
| 9.5 | 3/8 | 5.6 | 55.75 | ±5% | 8.32 | 83 |
| 10 | 13/32 | 6.1 | 61 | ±5% | 9.32 | 93 |
| 11 | 7/16 | 7.5 | 74 | ±5% | 10.4 | 103 |
| 12 | 1/2 | 8.8 | 87 | ±5% | 12.12 | 121 |
| 14 | 9/16 | 12 | 119 | ±5% | 15.4 | 153 |
| 16 | 5/8 | 15.5 | 151 | ±5% | 20.6 | 205 |
| 18 | 3/4 | 19 | 190 | ±5% | 23.9 | 238 |
| 20 | 13/16 | 23 | 225 | ±5% | 28.99 | 289 |
| 22 | 7/8 | 28 | 276 | ±5% | 33 | 322 |
| 24 | 1 | 37 | 368 | ±5% | 38 | 371 |
| 28 | 1-1/8 | 50 | 490 | ±5% | 57.5 | 562 |
| 32 | 1-5/16 | 62.5 | 621 | ±5% | 68.5 | 671 |
| 36 | 1-1/2 | 77 | 767 | ±5% | 80.4 | 789 |
| 40 | 1-5/8 | 87 | 868 | ±5% | 98.2 | 964 |
| 44 | 1-3/4 | 96 | 955 | ±5% | 118 | 1158 |
| 48 | 2 | 114 | 1137 | ±5% | 139 | 1364 |
| 56 | 2-1/4 | 159 | 1547 | ±5% | 184 | 1805 |
| 60 | 2-1/2 | 180 | 1784 | ±5% | 199 | 1952 |
| 64 | 2-5/8 | 209 | 2021 | ±5% | 222 | 2178 |
| 72 | 3 | 268 | 2598 | ±5% | 274 | 2688 |
| 80 | 3-1/4 | 328 | 3195 | ±5% | 333 | 3266 |
| 88 | 4 | 427 | 4170 | ±5% | 390 | 3825 |
| 96 | 3-5/9 | 509 | 4970 | ±5% | 455 | 4463 |
Note:
Larger sizes are available upon request to meet your specific project needs.We can supply 8-strand UHMWPE rope, 12-strand UHMWPE rope, and double-braided UHMWPE rope based on your needs and applications.
What is MBL (Spliced)?
MBL (Minimum Breaking Load) refers to the minimum breaking force specified for a rope under defined testing conditions.
MBL (Spliced) refers to the minimum breaking load of the finished rope assembly with spliced terminations, rather than the unspliced rope alone.
Splicing methods, rope construction, and termination design can affect the final breaking strength. Actual performance should be verified through appropriate testing.
Important:
MBL represents breaking strength, not the allowable working load (WLL). The appropriate safety factor must be determined according to the specific application and applicable standards.
DURACORDIX is a UHMWPE rope supplier & solution provider in China. Whether you need a wholesale supplier or custom-made UHMWPE ropes, we can provide solutions tailored to your requirements.
- Winch & Recovery: Whether it’s a winch rope, kinetic recovery rope, or soft shackle, our products enhance your vehicle recovery capabilities and safety on your overlanding trip.
- Marine & Offshore: Our products, like offshore UHMWPE mooring rope, mooring hawser, and tug towing rope can help you improve the efficiency & safety of maritime and offshore operations. it can be used for mooring and towing tankers, bulk carriers, LNG/LPG vessels, PSO, and offshore systems. Also,it enhances your ability to handle various extreme environments.
- Aquaculture: Our UHMWPE fiber products like fishing nets and cages enhance your fishing efficiency, reduce replacement frequency, and lower the overall costs of your fishing and aquaculture operations.
- Heavy Lifting: Our ultra-lifting slings are significantly lighter and safer than traditional wire slings; they offer you superior handling and reduce your operation risk. They has become the preferred replacement for pipeline dragging, crane lifting, and large-scale infrastructure projects
| Technical Feature | DURACORDIX UHMWPE | High-Tenacity Nylon | Industrial Polyester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength-to-Weight Ratio | Excellent (Very High) | Good | Good |
| Material Density (g/cm³) | Approx. 0.97 (Floats) | Approx. 1.14 (Sinks) | Approx. 1.38 (Sinks) |
| Typical Fiber Elongation at Break | Approx. 3–5% (Low) | Approx. 19–28% (High) | Approx. 10–18% (Moderate) |
| Moisture Absorption | Negligible | Approx. 4–6% | Less than 1% |
| Typical Melting Point | Approx. 135–150°C | Approx. 220–260°C | Approx. 250–260°C |
| UV Resistance | Good | Fair to Moderate | Very Good |
| Elastic Energy Storage | Low, but not risk-free | High | Moderate |
| Corrosion / Chemical Resistance | Excellent Resistance to Many Chemicals | Good, Depending on Chemical Exposure | Very Good, Depending on Chemical Exposure |
| Handling & Installation | Lightweight and Easy to Handle | Flexible and Easy to Handle | Flexible and Easy to Handle |
| Splicing & Maintenance | Easy to Splice and Re-Splice | Spliceable, Depending on Construction | Spliceable, Depending on Construction |
Note:
Values are indicative material properties for general comparison only.
Actual rope performance varies with fiber grade, rope construction, diameter, coating, operating conditions, and testing methods.
Fiber elongation values do not necessarily represent finished-rope elongation. You can consult Duracordix for application-specific technical specifications and verified test data.
Testing & Quality Assurance
10mm UHMWPE Winch rope
20mm UHMWPE tow rope
36mm UHMWPE mooring Line
- We’re performing rigorous in-house destructive testing to verify the Minimum Breaking Load (MBL) for each batch of Duracordix UHMWPE cord before shipment.
- Duracordix also provides third-party test reports and ensures 100% final visual inspection of all splicings and coatings to meet your need based on international maritime and industrial standards.
- We can supply UHMWPE fiber rope with type approved like CCS,BV, ABS, DNV, LR, RINA, etc. Our HMPE fiber rope also applies to the standards of ISO 2307 and OCIMF MEG4.
Why UHMWPE Is Used in High-Performance Rope Systems?
High Strength-to-Weight Ratio
The main advantage of UHMWPE is the combination of high tensile strength and super light weight.
This can reduce your handling effort and make installation easier in your marine, towing and industrial applications.
For large-diameter ropes(like 200mm or bigger), this weight reduction becomes particularly important during manual handling, deployment and retrieval.
Low Elongation
Duracordix HMPE rope has low elongation at break in the range of approximately 3–5%, depending on rope construction.
This low elongation makes UHMWPE suitable for controlled-load applications(like heavy lifting or escort towing)where excessive stretch is undesirable.
For applications requiring high energy absorption, such as kinetic recovery or certain mooring-tail systems, nylon is normally more appropriate.
Floating
Standard UHMWPE construction has a specific gravity of approximately 0.97.
This means the rope floats on water, which is useful for:
- marine mooring;
- tug towing;
- vessel handling;
- offshore operations.
Double braided constructions may have a different overall specific gravity depending on the jacket material (like polyester or kevlar)
Available Duracordix UHMWPE Rope Constructions
12-Strand UHMWPE Rope (UltraX)
UltraX is Duracordix’s 12-strand single braided UHMWPE rope, designed for applications requiring high strength, low elongation, and lightweight handling.
Typical Characteristics
High breaking strength of up to 200 tonnes
Low elongation
Lightweight construction
Easy to splice into eye terminations
Flexible and easy to handle
Good load distribution
Typical Applications
Marine mooring
Tugboat towing
Off-road recovery and winching
Industrial pulling
Offshore handling
Double-Braided HMPE Rope (CoreShield)
CoreShield is DURACORDIX’s double-braided HMPE rope, designed for applications requiring a high-strength load-bearing core with additional external protection.
Construction
Core: 12-Strand HMPE
Jacket: High-Tenacity Polyester
Typical Characteristics
Double-braided construction
Low-torque design
Low elongation
Protective polyester outer jacket
High-strength HMPE load-bearing core
Flexible handling
Enhanced external abrasion protection
Typical Applications
Marine mooring
Tug towing
Offshore operations
Docking lines
Lifting operations
Winching
General-purpose working lines
Double-Layer UHMWPE Rope (MaxDura)
MaxDura features a double-layer UHMWPE construction, combining high breaking strength with additional external protection for demanding marine and industrial applications.
Construction
Core: 12-Strand UHMWPE
Jacket: UHMWPE
Typical Characteristics
Double-layer braided construction
Specific gravity: approximately 0.97
Floats on water
UHMWPE fiber melting point: approximately 145°C
Typical fiber elongation at break: approximately 3.5–4%
Negligible water absorption
Good UV resistance
Good abrasion resistance
Excellent resistance to many chemicals
Typical Applications
Marine mooring
Vessel towing
Docking lines
Offshore winching
Cargo handling
Marine rigging
Safety lines
How to Select the Correct UHMWPE Rope
When selecting UHMWPE rope, you should consider:
Required breaking strength (you should consider the safety factor that the project require like lifting)
Working load
Safety factor (like 5:1 or 7:1)
Rope diameter (based on the required MBL)
Required elongation (UHMWPE is only applied for your projects requiring low and limited elongation, not suitable for kinetic towing or lifting)
Static or dynamic loading
Abrasion conditions (UHMWPE provides great abrasion resistance)
Operating temperature (UHMWPE fiber has a melting point of approximately 135–145°C). For applications requiring higher heat resistance, we recommend using Kevlar (aramid) rope instead
Bend radius
Winch or hardware compatibility
Splice design
Certification requirements
For marine mooring applications, SDMBL and required LDBF should be confirmed before selecting the rope.
For lifting applications, the required WLL and design factor must be confirmed according to the lifting system and applicable regulations.
UHMWPE rope vs steel wire rope
| Property | UHMWPE Rope | Steel Wire Rope |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Very light | Heavy |
| Strength-to-Weight Ratio | Very high | Lower |
| Corrosion | No rust | Susceptible to corrosion |
| Handling | Flexible and easy to handle | Heavy and rigid |
| Floatability | Floats | Sinks |
| Maintenance | Low | Requires lubrication and inspection |
| Splicing | Relatively easy | Requires specialized termination |
| Abrasion Resistance | Excellent, can be protected with jackets | High but subject to corrosion |
| Elongation | Low | Low |
| Manual Handling | Easier | More difficult |
| Electrical Conductivity | Non-metallic | Conductive |
Note: UHMWPE rope can replace steel wire rope in certain applications, but it is not suitable for every operating environment.
Final selection should consider operating temperature, abrasion conditions, hardware compatibility, creep, bend radius, cyclic loading, and required safety factors.
Coating & Chafe Protection options
DURACORDIX can apply our proprietary DMX coating system to your selected UHMWPE ropes.
The coating is designed to improve fiber protection, reduce internal friction and enhance resistance to abrasion and environmental exposure.
Available options include:
Standard coating
Heavy-duty abrasion coating
Custom color coating
Marine-use coating
PU-based protective treatment
For your critical applications, coating selection should be matched to the actual wear and environmental conditions, Duracordix can help you to find the right solution.
Duracordix also provides you various chafe protection options for your synthetic rope and helps prolong its service life. the options like Polyester chafe sleeves, Double-layer protective sleeves, Removable sleeves,Full-length jackets, chock protection( also called chock liner)
HMPE Mooring Rope
Duracordix HMPE mooring rope is designed for vessels requiring high breaking strength while reducing rope weight.
Typical characteristics include:
- Specific gravity: approx. 0.97
- Floating
- Minimal risk of snapback
- Elongation at break: approx. 3–5%
- High UV resistance
- Good abrasion resistance
- No significant water absorption
- Resistance to salt water, oils and many common chemicals
Available constructions include:
- 8-strand
- 12-strand
- Double-braided
Standard marine lengths can include:
- 150 m
- 220 m
- Custom project lengths
Terminations & Customization
Duracordix can provide you terminations include:
Soft eye
Reinforced soft eye
Thimble eye
Heavy-duty thimble
Spliced eye with protective sleeve
Custom eye length
Hardware-integrated termination
Splice design can significantly influence the final strength of your finished rope.
For engineered applications, breaking strength should be confirmed on the finished rope configuration rather than based solely on nominal fiber strength. Duracordix does regular rope breaking strength for each lot and ensure all our high-strength synthetic rope are qualified.
Custom UHMWPE Rope & OEM Service
Safety Color-Coding
DURACORDIX offers customized rope color-coding for quick visual identification of rope specifications and load ratings, helping streamline safety management in marine and industrial applications.
Custom Dimensions
DURACORDIX supplies UHMWPE ropes in diameters ranging from 4 mm to 200 mm, with custom lengths and configurations tailored to your application requirements.
Chafe Guarding
Protective chafe guards and abrasion-resistant sleeves help reduce wear caused by contact with external surfaces, extending rope service life under demanding operating conditions.
Hardware & Splicing Solutions
We offer customized eye splices, soft eyes, stainless steel thimbles, hooks, and other termination options for marine mooring, off-road recovery, and industrial applications.
Branding & Private Label
Customized packaging, logo integration, product labels, and technical identification help support your private-label branding and international distribution requirements.
Load & Safety Testing
DURACORDIX provides breaking-load testing and Minimum Breaking Load (MBL) documentation. Third-party inspection and certification through organizations such as ABS or DNV can be arranged upon request.
Raw Material & Cost Optimization
We offer UHMWPE fiber options from different manufacturers and performance grades to balance breaking strength, application requirements, and project cost targets.
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UHMWPE ROPE FAQs
Everything You Need to Know About Duracordix UHMWPE Rope
What is the difference between UHMWPE, HMPE and Dyneema rope?
UHMWPE means ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, while HMPE refers to high-modulus polyethylene fiber used in high-performance ropes. Dyneema is a famous brand of UHMWPE fiber. Not every UHMWPE rope is made with Dyneema-branded fiber. Duracordix can supply you our UHMWPE cord made from UHMWPE/HMPE made in China or imported Dyneema.
How much does UHMWPE rope stretch under load?
UHMWPE rope has relatively low elongation. Duracordix UHMWPE fiber rope has very low elongation-at-break values of approximately 3–5%. This is different from elongation at normal working loads. So UHMWPE is not recommended as the sole energy-absorbing element for your fall arrest or kinetic recovery operation. It's also especially suitable for your precision lifting operations requiring accurate load control.
Can UHMWPE winch rope handle heavy loads safely?
UHMWPE winch rope can handle heavy loads when the rope, terminations, winch and hardware are correctly rated for your specific application. Selection should account for working load, design factor, abrasion, heat exposure and your operating conditions. You should never select synthetic winch rope based on diameter alone.
Can I customize the rope diameter and fittings for specific industrial projects?
Absolutely. Duracordix can provide you custom-made rope diameter, length, and terminations. You can choose from soft eyes, stainless steel thimbles, or hooks. Our professional splicing can make sure the attachment points can maintain your rope's maximum breaking strength for seamless system integration
How does the "Total Cost of Ownership" of UHMWPE compare to cheaper fibers?
Honestly, the initial price is higher than low-grade fibers like nylon or polyester, but Duracordix UHMWPE (Dyneema-grade) ropes offer you a much lower long-term cost. Due to high abrasion resistance & UV stability (keeping 90% strength after 1500 h), it has a much longer service life than other fiber ropes. You can also reduce the frequency of replacing them, resulting in less downtime and lower maintenance expenses.
Is it easy to repair or resplice UHMWPE rope in the field?
Yes, HMPE rope is very easy to repair. Unlike steel wire, it won't be ruined once kinked or frayed; you can resplice the HMPE rope in the field with some basic tools. It can help you to restore operational capacity very quickly to save your operation time and your money to replace it with new one
How much storage space can I save by switching to synthetic ropes?
As the UHMWPE rope is very flexible and super lightweight. You can tightly coil or fold it into compact and limited spaces. This reduces the footprint in warehouses and onboard vessels; it makes transportation and inventory management significantly easier and more convenient. Meanwhile, it also helps you improve work efficiency and cost-effectiveness for you.
Does Duracordix provide certified breaking strength reports?
Yes. We understand your concern about "lack of guarantee," so Duracordix provides you certified load testing reports for every batch. We verify the minimum breaking load (MBL) before the delivery to you; we guarantee you our products' compliance with international maritime and industrial safety standards
Why is a floating rope better for offshore and aquaculture use?
DURACORDIX UHMWPE has a specific gravity of 0.97, so it can float on water. This makes it easy to locate and retrieve. It will not sink into seabed debris and will make the rope stay away from underwater intake valves or propellers and help you significantly reduce the risk of accidental damage.
How does UHMWPE rope perform in extreme temperature environments?
Duracordix UHMWPE rope is extremely stable in cold water and related environments. It can maintain its high tensile strength at temperatures like -150°C. It's suitable for cryogenic applications such as marine, offshore, and fishing.
Its melting point is between 135°C and 145°C, and it can withstand a certain level of temperatures for a short period of time. However, for operations under continuous high temperatures, we recommend you use our heat-resistant aramid/Kevlar ropes, as they can withstand temperatures up to 450°C.
What is the benefit of "12-strand braided construction" for industrial use?
Our 12-strand braid construction is torque-neutral; it will not rotate or kink under load. It's very important for winching and lifting, which can ensure your safety. This construction also makes the rope exceptionally easy to inspect, and it can help you make high-strength splicing in the field faster than traditional 3-strand or twisted wire.
How do you ensure the rope diameter is accurate for specific equipment fitment?
We maintain strict tolerance control during the extrusion and braiding process. With precise diameters, we guarantee that our ropes fit seamlessly into your existing winch drums, bollards, and fairleads. It prevents premature wear caused by "pinching" or loose spooling, which can further extending your rope's operational life
Related products
Duracordix also offer other related fiber rope products to meet your needs
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