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Synthetic slings
What it is
Lifting slings made from polyester, nylon or high-modulus polyethylene fibre, used in place of steel wire rope slings for rigging and material handling. HMPE fibre can match steel strength at a fraction of the weight
They are lighter, do not rust, are safer to handle and cause no load damage, but are vulnerable to cutting, abrasion and UV degradation
Impact on industries
- A direct substitution threat at the lower and mid end of the wire rope market, particularly in general rigging and material handling
- Steel retains the demanding applications - cranes, mining hoists, elevators, offshore and anywhere heat, abrasion or sharp edges are present
- Wire rope makers can participate rather than resist, since fibre rope production is a natural product-line extension for a rope business
- The two are converging in hybrid and jacketed constructions, so the boundary is shifting rather than one displacing the other outright