Three line braid question?

**mccallum** · 03-04-2013, 12:47

What is the strength of a braid of three strands? If I read a post on a how to site correctly a a three strand braid of 550 cord would have a load strengh of 1650 lbs (3*550). The site was actually talkingabout a two strap made of Paracord (550 cord) the site said a strap to tow 10,000 lbs would require 19strands to pull 10,000 lbs ( 10,000/550 = 18.18181818) Therfore a rope that is rated to hold 75 lbs would hold 225 lbs when three standed braided.

I question this and wonder if anyone has tested or has infomation on a test of breaking strength of a three strained braid braided line.

**mccallum** · 03-05-2013, 18:35

Maybe I did not ask the question clearly. If I braid a cord does any one know what the breaking strength is; ie is it three time the orginal break rating?

**dixoncreations** · 03-07-2013, 15:02

I've tried researching to find an answer to your question.

I believe this is the article you're referring to on the 19 strand braid:
http://www.ehow.com/how_10055697_mak...-paracord.html

According to that, you can simply multiply the strength of each line by the number of lines to get total strength.

I would venture to say that is oversimplifying it. I would imagine that the tupe of braid used, how the braid is terminated and attached to the load, etc will all effect the overall strength.

I found this article, but I'm left with more questions rather than answers. No hard numbers given, but the experts listed seem to agree that at least the braided rope is stronger than a single strand. Uh duh.

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasc...9/eng99473.htm

Also found this, which gives no hard numbers but agrees braiding would strengthen.

http://www.550america.com/how-to-inc...-550-paracord/

If your life depends on this, i'd assume some % of strength loss. If not, assume no strength loss and give it a whirl!

Maybe someone else has some engineering expertise and can clue us both in.

**gunner76** · 03-07-2013, 15:24

Most hangers do not use 550 cord for hammock suspension due to streach issues

**mccallum** · 03-13-2013, 20:04

Gunner
I was wondering about any line; 550, rope or whatever!

I was planning on counting about 50-75% of single so a braid of three strains of 550 is about 800 to 1200 lb. I would need to hang 250 so that would work. I wil braid 6 strainds of something that is rated to 200 ab\nd hope for the best!