Synthetic Rope

Need synthetic rope cut to length, or advice on polyester versus polypropylene for your job? Call 011 345 8800 or email sales@toco.co.za.

Toco Lifting has supplied lifting, lashing and rigging equipment since 2002, operating from a Germiston head office and a Cape Town branch, and is a registered Lifting Machinery Entity, LME No. 008. Synthetic rope is supplied as a lashing and general-purpose product alongside Toco’s steel wire rope, sling and rigging ranges, so the rope can be matched to the duty rather than assumed.

What is synthetic rope used for?

Synthetic rope was introduced in the mid-1990s as an alternative to steel cable for applications where weight, handling and corrosion resistance matter. It gives strong lifting and pulling performance compared with natural-fibre rope, an outstanding strength to weight ratio, and a safer failure mode than wire rope because the lighter line falls flat instead of recoiling. It is a cost-effective alternative to wire rope across many duties. Synthetic rope is best suited to towing, vehicle recovery, load lashing and lighter lifting and pulling work, rather than heavy permanent lifting installations, where steel wire rope remains the stronger choice.

Polyester or polypropylene, which should you choose?

The two materials behave differently and the right one depends on the job. Polyester is the stronger, lower-stretch fibre and holds up well under sustained load and UV exposure, which suits it to lashing and controlled pulling. Polypropylene is lighter, floats on water and resists chemicals, which suits it to lighter-duty and marine handling work. Both are stocked; Toco will advise on the material best matched to your load, environment and handling needs.

Consideration	Polyester	Polypropylene
Strength	Higher tensile strength	Lighter duty
Stretch under load	Lower stretch	Higher stretch
Water	Absorbs some water	Floats; does not absorb water
Typical use	Lashing, controlled pulling	Lighter-duty and marine handling

Speak to Toco to confirm the material and diameter for your application. Other synthetic constructions are sourced on enquiry.

Synthetic rope or steel wire rope?

Synthetic and steel wire rope each have a place, and the choice comes down to the application, temperature, terrain and maintenance commitment. The comparison below sets out the practical differences.

Factor	Synthetic rope	Steel wire rope
Strength to weight	Excellent	Good
Behaviour on failure	Falls flat, safer	Recoil risk
Heat resistance	Loses strength above 60 °C; melts above 120 °C	Excellent
Elongation under load	Significant	Minimal
Cost	Lower	Higher
Best for	Towing, recovery, lighter lifting	Heavy lifting, permanent installations

Either rope performs well when in good condition and correctly selected. For heavy lifting and permanent installations, see Toco’s steel wire rope range.

Heat, UV and the limits of synthetic rope

Synthetic rope has clear operating limits that must be respected. It loses strength above roughly 60 °C and melts above roughly 120 °C, so friction points and proximity to hot machinery or exhaust systems are a real concern. It also elongates significantly under load, which makes it less suited to precision lifts where stretch must be minimised. It is not the right choice for the lightest load applications or for heavy permanent lifting. Polyester resists UV well, which matters for ropes left in sunlight on outdoor and fleet duties. Matching the rope to the working environment is the key to safe service life, and Toco will advise.

Cut to length and supplied in bulk. Toco cuts synthetic rope to the length you need and supplies un-terminated rope for industrial lashing. Tell Toco the material, diameter and length required for a quote.

Where synthetic rope is used

Sector	Typical synthetic rope duty
Transport and fleet	Towing, load lashing and cargo securing
Mining and construction	Vehicle recovery, hauling and lighter pulling work
Marine and fishery	Deck handling and lighter-duty work, where a floating rope is an advantage
General industry	Lashing, lighter lifting and pulling, general-purpose rope work

Toco does not limit synthetic rope to these sectors. Rope is cut and supplied for any lashing, towing or lighter lifting duty. For heavy lifting, Toco supplies steel wire rope, wire rope slings and chain slings.

Working load limit and breaking load

Two figures govern safe use of any rope. The breaking load is the load at which the rope physically fails. The working load limit (WLL) is the rated safe service load, calculated as the breaking load divided by a safety factor. A rope is never worked at its breaking load. The correct safety factor and the rated WLL depend on the rope material, construction and the way it is used. For the working load limit of a specific synthetic rope, request the rope specification from Toco rather than working from a generic figure, and never exceed the rated WLL. Toco’s synthetic rope is supplied to SANS 94-1 and SANS 94-2.

Related products and guides:
Steel Wire Rope ·
Steel Wire Rope Slings ·
Lashing Equipment ·
Testing & Certification ·
About Toco Lifting