Synthetic Line Snapback
Abstract
When a long thin tensile member is loaded until it breaks, it will snap back in the direction of pull. It matters not if that tensile member is made of rubber, synthetic fiber, wire or glass; it is going to snap back. The only variable in this phenomenon is the speed that it will snap back. Synthetic fiber rope snaps back at about 700 feet/sec; wire rope at about 450 feet/sec. Therefore, both ropes are deadly to anyone standing near them when a failure occurs. In the early 1980's several synthetic fiber ropes did fail. In one nine month period three sailors were killed and four had one or both legs cut off. This report outlines the approach taken by NAVSEA to reduce the number of accidents resulting from synthetic line snap back. The most effective short term solution is to make personnel aware of the dangers involved in linehandling and the proper procedure for handling the lines to avoid injury due to snapback. For long term solution to the problem, the development of a low snapback line is the only sure way to go. A Kevlar-Nylon combination has been tested in the laboratory and will shortly undergo field testing on a U.S. Navy ship.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA174041
Entities
People
- Andrew Miles
- George Prentice