Succesful break load test of 974 tonnes (9553kN) witnessed by Lloyd's

FibreMax has successfully performed a break load test on an aramid cable as part of a Lloyd's certification project for one of its customers. The test was performed at Mennens in Dongen on their 13.500kN test bench and was witnessed by the customer and a surveyor of Lloyd’s Register. The required break strength of the cable was 9000kN. After pre-loading of the cable in a controlled sequence up to 75% of the breaking strength the cable was pulled to break. At an astonishing load of 9553kN the cable was still not broken, but the test was stopped to prevent damage to the test auxiliary hardware. When the cable was loaded for a second time it finally broke at 9134kN, still well over the required 9000kN. This results proves that due to the unique Endless Winding Technology of FibreMax it is possible to load up cables to 90% of the breaking strength without any problem.

The cable was designed and produced as a cable with "open spelter socket" end terminations. The cable was produced with aramid Twaron® fibres from Teijin Aramid. It is the first time ever in the world that an aramid cable of this size has been produced and succesfully pulled to break. The diameter of the cable was approx. 100mm and weighed only 8,50 kg/meter.

Final production of the cables for this project will start within the next weeks and delivery to the customer will be later this year. As soon as the cables have been produced Lloyd's Register will issue a certification approval on these cables.                                             

Left is the diagram of the first test at which no break occurred at a load of 9553kN (974 Tonnes). Right is the diagram of the second test on the same cable at which break occured at a load of 9134kN (931 Tonnes).