Overview
ISO 10554:2009 defines international requirements for polyamide fibre ropes manufactured with a double braid (double‑braided / coaxial) construction. The standard covers both standard double braided ropes and high‑strength (hr) double braided ropes made from polyamide, and it prescribes how these ropes must be designated, manufactured, tested for linear mass and minimum breaking force, marked and delivered.
Key Topics and Technical Requirements
- Construction: Ropes are produced by a two‑step braiding process: a separately manufactured hollow inner braid (core) serves as the alma, then an outer cover braid is applied. The mass of the inner or outer braid must not exceed 55% of total rope mass.
- Material: Mixing different polyamide fibers or qualities in a single rope is not permitted - material must be uniform.
- Designation: Ropes must be designated with the term “cordage en fibres”, the standard number (ISO 10554), the rope reference number, the material (PA), and an optional “(hr)” for high‑strength ropes. Example: Cordage en fibres ISO 10554 - 20 - PA (hr).
- Physical properties: Table 1 in the standard specifies nominal linear mass (ktex) and minimum breaking forces (kN) for each rope reference number. Values apply to new, dry ropes; strength can be lower when wet or when used with terminations, knots or bends.
- Number of strands (torons): Minimum outer braid strands: 16 for reference numbers 6–16; 24 for reference >16.
- Strand changes and splice rules: Strand changes must follow rules to limit defects - e.g., up to one change in core and one in cover for lengths ≤200 m; overlap length for splice/change equals 8 × reference number, with a minimum of 600 mm (for ref ≤72); spacing between changes ≥ 12 m. Records of core strand changes must be available to inspectors.
- Marking, manufacture and packaging: Follow ISO 9554 provisions. For high‑strength ropes: a green tracer is required inside the core for reference