Thats my point Leon - 'some' high tech cords will melt, some won't, some uffer flex fatigue, others less so. This was covered quite succinctly in the comparison research I attached in this thread.
I'm playing devils advocate - people are buying and selling these cords without understanding their limitations.
Perhaps the most worrying misunderstanding is those that use spectra/dyneema. They are impressed by its great strength. But its slipperiness, even when covered with polyester, needs a triple sliding Barrel knot to secure it. And when the polyester cover burns, the core will be snuffed out on a descent in an instant (as I have witnessed).
Great strength in a hitch cord isn't needed. 1700Kg break strength is adequate.
Other concerns I noted, was the very poor energy absorption in some of the drop tests. The polyester braids kept forces around the 600kg mark (similar to the 6kN recommended limit), the high tech cord was significantly higher, and turned into a coat hanger type stiffness.
There is a lot to consider, so why risk putting these cords in use? Yes, a heat resistant core will provide security against burn through, but that is unlikely with a double braid nylon/polyester. And compared to the other considerations such as cost, knotability, flex fatigue and UV, the research I posted earlier (and again here) has pursuaded me that its not really worth it. Just my considered opinion - offering balance to the debate.
A failure in sailing isn't likely to have the same consequence as in treework. Because we have no back up from mortal injury, I prefer to have a 'secure' system over an unecessarily 'strong' one.
I'm playing devils advocate - people are buying and selling these cords without understanding their limitations.
Perhaps the most worrying misunderstanding is those that use spectra/dyneema. They are impressed by its great strength. But its slipperiness, even when covered with polyester, needs a triple sliding Barrel knot to secure it. And when the polyester cover burns, the core will be snuffed out on a descent in an instant (as I have witnessed).
Great strength in a hitch cord isn't needed. 1700Kg break strength is adequate.
Other concerns I noted, was the very poor energy absorption in some of the drop tests. The polyester braids kept forces around the 600kg mark (similar to the 6kN recommended limit), the high tech cord was significantly higher, and turned into a coat hanger type stiffness.
There is a lot to consider, so why risk putting these cords in use? Yes, a heat resistant core will provide security against burn through, but that is unlikely with a double braid nylon/polyester. And compared to the other considerations such as cost, knotability, flex fatigue and UV, the research I posted earlier (and again here) has pursuaded me that its not really worth it. Just my considered opinion - offering balance to the debate.
A failure in sailing isn't likely to have the same consequence as in treework. Because we have no back up from mortal injury, I prefer to have a 'secure' system over an unecessarily 'strong' one.
