ISO 18692-2:2019

Overview

ISO 18692-2:2019 specifies the main characteristics and test methods for new polyester fibre ropes used for offshore stationkeeping (mooring and position-keeping of floating structures). It complements ISO 18692-1 (general specification) and focuses on polyester-specific material requirements, performance criteria and test procedures. Annex A covers fibre qualification and abrasion testing; Annex B provides additional informative guidance.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Material specification
  • High-tenacity polyester fibre with average tenacity ≥ 0.78 N/tex (fibre qualification per Annex A and ISO 18692-1).
  • Rope cover and other assembly materials per ISO 18692-1.
• Strength and tenacity
  • Minimum breaking strength (MBS) specified by rope reference diameter (examples range roughly 3 140 kN for smaller reference sizes up to ~19 600 kN for large diameters).
  • Minimum core tenacity: 0.47 N/tex (measured as per ISO 18692-1).
• Dynamic and mechanical properties
  • Dynamic stiffness (end of bedding-in) required to be between 18 and 28 (unless purchaser specifies otherwise).
  • Torque: ropes shall be torque-neutral or torque-matched as defined in ISO 18692-1.
• Durability under cyclic loading
  • Cyclic loading endurance tests defined; residual strength after cyclic test shall be ≥ 80% of MBS.
  • Emphasis on resistance to internal abrasion as the prevailing failure mode for polyester mooring ropes.
• Particle ingress protection
  • Core protection against particle ingress required unless otherwise specified.
• Testing and sampling
  • Type-test sampling requirements (e.g., breaking strength/core tenacity/stiffness: 3 samples; cyclic endurance: 1 sample; torque and linear density: 1 sample).
  • Linear density, protective cover thickness and production testing per ISO 18692-1 methods.
• Qualification & certification
  • Fibre abrasion (yarn-on-yarn) testing, marine finish persistence, and production verification per Annex A.
  • Certification by a Recognized Classification Society (RCS) and marking/packaging in accordance with ISO 18692-1.

Applications and who uses this standard

ISO 18692-2 is intended for:

• Offshore mooring designers and engineers specifying polyester ropes for FPSOs, floating wind turbines, drill vessels and platforms.
• Rope manufacturers and quality control labs performing type tests and production verification.
• Class societies, procurement teams, marine contractors and operators requiring certified, high-performance polyester stationkeeping ropes.

Related standards

• ISO 18692-1:2018 - Fibre ropes for offshore stationkeeping - Part 1: General specification
• ISO 1968 - Fibre ropes and cordage - Vocabulary

This standard helps ensure consistent polyester rope performance, reliable offshore stationkeeping and clear test/acceptance criteria for procurement and certification.