Innegra-S fiber, unfamiliar to the rope industry

22 Jan '10

3 min read

Samson Rope Technologies Inc, the worldwide leader in performance cordage, introduces Innegra-S to the rope industry. Available exclusively at Samson, the use of Innegra-S has enabled Samson to develop a line of products that bridge the gap in performance characteristics between traditional synthetic fibers, such as nylon and polyester, and high-performance synthetic fibers, such as high modulus polyethylene (HMPE), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), and aramids. Samson's first product in this line is MLX, developed for the sailing market.

Continuum of Innovation
Known for leading the industry in research and development for more than 130 years, Samson continues to bring new rope technologies into the marketplace. Recognizing a void in the product line was the impetus for the research leading to this new fiber. “We knew we had to consider fibers that were unfamiliar to the rope industry in order to achieve our goals,” says vice president of research and development, Dr. Rafael Chou.

“Historically, if you wanted a fiber that would out perform traditional nylon and polyester, you had to leap into high-performance fibers like HMPE, LCP, and aramids. Oftentimes this was not the best solution because the degree of performance improvement might be overkill for the application making it too expensive. We set out to find the 'missing link' in synthetic fibers for rope making. That's when we found Innegra-S.” A high modulus polypropylene (HMPP), Innegra-S, when blended with HMPE, creates a line that is lighter and stronger than nylon and polyester, and comfortably fits the mid-point in performance and price.

First in the Product Line: MLX
Developed for the sailing industry, MLX is the first product incorporating Innegra-S to be introduced by Samson. It is intended for sailors who want to upgrade from traditional synthetic fibers but do not require the performance characteristics of high-performance synthetic fibers. MLX is designed for the club racer but is also suitable for the performance-oriented cruiser.

This double braid construction incorporates a unique core made with the new fiber and a polyester cover. MLX is a lightweight core-dependent line that has excellent strength and low stretch. The core is coated with our Samthane coating to match the color of the cover, making the line strippable for greater weight savings.

Ralf Morgan of Keefe Kaplan Maritime Inc. used MLX as a mainsheet on his Alerion 28, which he races on the San Francisco Bay. “MLX is a very nice looking line that handles extremely well,” Morgan says. “It splices well, and it runs through the block and tackle system nicely, with no tendency toward knotting up."

"MLX also holds well in cam cleats and ratchet blocks. Part of the mainsheet was stripped to save weight and that portion of the line worked very well with no indication of chafing or snagging. It's a nice line to hold onto when you are doing a lot of trimming, even in heavy air.”

Samson Rope Technologies Inc

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