Honeywell's Spectra fiber will be used in ropes for new offshore oil and gas platforms for Petrobras, the company announced on 5 October.
The high-performance fiber, also used extensively in body and vehicle armor, is being incorporated by engineered rope maker Cortland into its BOB 12x12 fiber rope, which will be used for the new oil and gas project as part of Rolls-Royce's Fiber Rope Development System (FRDS). Spectra fiber is used in many varieties of industrial rope and cordage, and is, pound-for-pound, 15 times stronger than steel but light enough to float.
The BOB rope using Spectra was selected for use by Rolls-Royce on their next FRDS, making it the fourth system that uses Cortland's BOB rope and Honeywell Spectra fiber. The new Rolls-Royce FRDS will be used for a five-year contract with Petrobras and leverages the strength of Spectra fiber as part of a deepwater lifting and placement system that has a single fall capacity of 150 tons.
Spectra fiber is ideal for marine applications because it is highly waterproof, allowing the rope to be used in water without gaining weight from moisture absorption. Spectra also does not corrode or deteriorate in water.
"By using Spectra fiber in the blend of high-performance fibers used in Cortland's BOB rope, we are able to provide high quality products and more value to our customers," said Stuart Janke, vice president of global sales for Cortland's Rope and Assembly business. "With this win, we can continue to demonstrate the success of synthetic fiber ropes within the oil and gas industry."
Spectra fiber is highly resistant to chemicals and damaging ultraviolet light, and is made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (HMPE) using a patented gel-spinning process. Spectra's filaments are larger in diameter than competitive HMPE products providing superior abrasion resistance, reduced friction and improved processing during rope manufacturing.
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