8mm Plasma

[Singo17]

I have a query. If 8mm plasma is stronger than 5/16 wire why is there this thing in most comps in OZ about a 9mm minimum is this technofobia or is there a reason behind this rule that now seems universal.

[POS]

Do you have PROOF that 8mm plasma is STRONGER!!!!

I have seen it used a number of times and each time it seems to just break, i don't know how well it was maintained but it was on a well maintained Rig!

I think that once it rubs on a rock its pretty well screwed!

[grimbo]

I'm pretty sure the articles in 4wd monthly went a long to proving that it was stronger. You are right tho it does need more care on rocks, nothing a bit of matting wouldn't solve. In winch comps I'd imagine the weight factor would be the biggest benefit as hauling wire rope around compared to the plasma would be like chalk and cheese.

[Singo17]

Do you have PROOF that 8mm plasma is STRONGER!!!!

I have seen it used a number of times and each time it seems to just break, i don't know how well it was maintained but it was on a well maintained Rig!

I think that once it rubs on a rock its pretty well screwed!

POS I aint trying to get on a high horse but the only proof I am working off is the technical data available. The breaking strain is quite a bit more than 5/16 wire.

I know where your coming from and yeah I totally agree with you that if you fray it on rocks it would be prone to snapping and yeah I have seen it break a few times as well.

That said though why 9mm only does it not rub on rock as well or is it just an added in wear factor.

Speaking safety though nearly every rig running wire would have spooled a rope that by industry standards is unsafe. But as we know rarely breaks (only what I have witnessed far more here with more experience). But then again it only has to happen once cut a spotter in half.

Just adding some healthy debate.

Anyone got a difinitive on why only 9mm plasma

[Maggot4x4]

This is just conjecture, but here are a couple of reasons I can think of:

1) To bring in unitformity.

2) Event sponsors have bigger margins on 9mm

[Bush65]

Breaking strength should not be the only factor to consider.

What happens to plasma rope as the load is increased up till it breaks?
What factor should be used to determine the safe working load?
What happens when repeated heavy loads are applied?
Is there a reduction in strength if it has incurred repeated heavy loads?

The mechanical properties of steel wire rope for lifting purposes is well known and it's long term behaviour and safe use is predictable.

I wouldn't use less than 9mm plasma without better knowledge and I would'nt use breaking strength from a single load test to compare steel and plasma rope (unless it is to be used once then discarded).

[Singo17]

Breaking strength should not be the only factor to consider.

What happens to plasma rope as the load is increased up till it breaks?
What factor should be used to determine the safe working load?
What happens when repeated heavy loads are applied?
Is there a reduction in strength if it has incurred repeated heavy loads?

The mechanical properties of steel wire rope for lifting purposes is well known and it's long term behaviour and safe use is predictable.

I wouldn't use less than 9mm plasma without better knowledge and I would'nt use breaking strength from a single load test to compare steel and plasma rope (unless it is to be used once then discarded).

But why would you only use 9mm. What do you mean by better knowledge?

Wire rope is compromised greatly by kinks and is nothing but unpredictable when used for winching NOT lifting we dont use self spooling drums on a winch (although that would be cool). But we put our faith in it regardless.

As soon as you unspool new wire rope and put a winching load on it. Its maximum working load is not the same and every time you use it , it may change again depending on how it was spooled back on the drum.

I must admit that when I pick up my Plasma it gives me the not quite right feeling becuase it is so light you just cant imagine it would hold but it hasn't yet let me down so far.

On a side note I don't leave it on the drum, because it is light it takes about 5 minutes to put it on (which means about 1 minute to steal it 2 I haven't heard it targeted by thieves yet but I reckon you would get more crack for it than a UHF whip) an it just goes in a canvas bag in my recov kit in the back. I only have done this to reduce the UV exposure for longer life.

[Bush65]

Breaking strength should not be the only factor to consider.

What happens to plasma rope as the load is increased up till it breaks?
What factor should be used to determine the safe working load?
What happens when repeated heavy loads are applied?
Is there a reduction in strength if it has incurred repeated heavy loads?

The mechanical properties of steel wire rope for lifting purposes is well known and it's long term behaviour and safe use is predictable.

I wouldn't use less than 9mm plasma without better knowledge and I would'nt use breaking strength from a single load test to compare steel and plasma rope (unless it is to be used once then discarded).

But why would you only use 9mm. What do you mean by better knowledge?

Wire rope is compromised greatly by kinks and is nothing but unpredictable when used for winching NOT lifting we dont use self spooling drums on a winch (although that would be cool). But we put our faith in it regardless.

As soon as you unspool new wire rope and put a winching load on it. Its maximum working load is not the same and every time you use it , it may change again depending on how it was spooled back on the drum.

I must admit that when I pick up my Plasma it gives me the not quite right feeling becuase it is so light you just cant imagine it would hold but it hasn't yet let me down so far.

On a side note I don't leave it on the drum, because it is light it takes about 5 minutes to put it on (which means about 1 minute to steal it 2 I haven't heard it targeted by thieves yet but I reckon you would get more crack for it than a UHF whip) an it just goes in a canvas bag in my recov kit in the back. I only have done this to reduce the UV exposure for longer life.

Steel and polymer materials have completely different properties/characteristics - physical and mechanical.

The factors to determine the safe working load of steel wire rope from a breaking strength test are based upon experience, the duty, environment and the mechanical properties.

There is less experience with plasma rope, compared to steel wire rope. The environment (UV radiation, water, chemicals, rock etc.) affects it differently to steel wire rope and it's mechanical properties are different.

With steel wire rope, we know such things as:
Suitable ratios for diameter of rope to winch drum or sheave diameter.
Suitable ratios for diameter of the outer wires (of the rope) to winch drum or sheave diameter.
Causes and results of Matensitic cracking.
How strength is reduced with various teminal methods.
And much more!

We know of appropriate visual inspections and rejection criteria for steel wire rope such as:
How much abrasive wear or how many broken wires are acceptable.
How kinks and crushing affect the strength.

I haven't used plasma rope yet and have seen very little information from material and load testing (other than weight and breaking strength). None of which is sufficient to convince me that using 8mm plasma rope on my winch would be wise.

Plasma and other polymer ropes are completely different to steel wire ropes. I am not saying they are better or worse. Just trying to emphasise that comparing breaking strengths alone is not good enough.