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Why choose Compacted Strand for your Standing Rigging

Discover the difference between Compacted Strand and Standard 1x19 Wire

The difference between Compacted Strand and Standard 1x19 Wire

What is Compacted Strand Wire?

The Compacted Strand process involves passing each individual strand through a die or rollers on a special compression machine. The pressing process flattens the surface increasing the contact area and densifying the stainless steel. The higher density results in a marginal increase in weight. The individual compacted strands are then woven into the wire construction, creating a smoother profile, a more solid structure, and a slightly reduced diameter.

Compacted Strand was previously known as Dyform.

Compacted Strand Facts

  • Compressed, flattened and denser strands
  • Increased contact area reduces inter-strand friction
  • Reduced voids in the wire rope construction increase the cross-sectional metal content
  • Marginally reduced diameter
  • Marginally increased weight

Compacted Strand Cross Section

Compact Strand Cross Section Detail

Compacted Strand Plus Factors compared with Standard 1x19 Wire

  • c30-40% greater break load, see table below for results by diameter
  • c20% less stretch, see table below for results by diameter
  • Enhanced wear resistance
  • Increased crush resistance
  • Improved corrosion resistance due to minimised impurity ingress between strands
  • Lower bend fatigue for extended working life
  • Smoother finish for user-friendly handling
  • Marginally increased weight offset by higher break load and reduced stretch
  • Superior performance may facilitate a reduction in wire diameter

1x19 Wire Cross Section

1x19 Wire Cross Section detail

Why choose Compacted Strand Wire for your Standing Rigging?

Standard 1x19 stainless steel rigging wire is eminently suitable for standing rigging on most sailing yachts and by far the widest-used solution for most cruising applications.

However, Compacted Strand undoubtedly offers 'Star Qualities', making it suitable for Regattas, Offshore Racing, and potentially extended Ocean Cruising.

The Jimmy Green Rigging Team analysed Petersen's Compacted Strand break load, stretch and weight data to illustrate the differences in percentage terms.

We have also compiled a Break Load Chart comparing our different Compact Strand brands with KOS 1x19.

Manufacturer Minimum Break Load Comparison Chart for Stainless Steel Wire
Wire Diameter 2.5mm 3mm 4mm 5mm 6mm 7mm 8mm 10mm 12mm
KOS 1x19  500kg 720kg 1280kg 2000kg 2880kg 3560kg 4640kg 7250kg 10400kg
KOSFORM 1x7/1x19  690kg 1000kg 1780kg 2440kg 3550kg 4910kg 6150kg 9770kg 14400kg
Petersen Compact Strand  690kg 1000kg 1780kg 2600kg 3600kg 5000kg 6300kg 10000kg 14500kg
hamma™ Pro Strand 700kg 1025kg 1795kg 2600kg 3700kg 5100kg 6500kg 10250kg 14400kg

MBL = Manufacturer Break Load

The strength information for KOSFORM is the minimum manufacturer-guaranteed break load, their actual break loads are higher, varying between 4% and 10% more according to the diameter.

This Jimmy Green Chart expresses the increase in strength as an approximate percentage by diameter:

How much stronger is Compact Strand compared with Standard 1x19
Wire Diameter 2.5mm 3mm 4mm 5mm 6mm 7mm 8mm 10mm 12mm
  40% 42% 40% 30% 29% 43% 40% 41% 38%

This is a Petersen comparison chart for comparing 1x19 and Compact Strand for elongation (stretch) - Figures courtesy of Petersen.

Elongation Comparison for standard stainless steel 1x19 v Compacted Strand Wire
Wire Diameter 2.5mm 3mm 4mm 5mm 6mm 7mm 8mm 10mm 12mm
Standard 1x19  0.018535 0.012872 0.007378 0.46270% 0.003224 0.002274 0.001883 0.001157 0.000806
Petersen Compact Strand  0.014523 0.010085 0.005673 0.003728 0.002589 0.001902 0.001456 0.000932 0.000647

Stretch in this table is expressed as the increase in length on 1mm for every 100kg tensile load applied.

The Jimmy Green charts below simplify the comparison by using the Petersen figures to express the stretch as a percentage reduction from Standard 1x19 to Compacted Strand.

How much less does Compact Strand stretch compared with Standard 1x19?
Wire Diameter 2.5mm 3mm 4mm 5mm 6mm 7mm 8mm 10mm 12mm
22% 22% 23% 19% 20% 16% 23% 19% 20%

This is a Petersen chart for comparing 1x19 and Compact Strand for weight - Figures courtesy of Petersen. 

Weight Comparison for standard stainless steel 1x19 v Petersen Compact Strand (per 100 metres)
Wire Diameter 2.5mm 3mm 4mm 5mm 6mm 7mm 8mm 10mm 12mm
Standard 1x19  3.05kg 4.49kg 7.81kg 12.2kg 17.6kg 23.9kg 31.2kg 48.8kg 70.3kg
Compact Strand  3.4kg 4.9kg

8.80kg

13.5kg 19.4kg 26.0kg 34.5kg 54.0kg 80.7kg

The Jimmy Green chart below uses the Petersen figures to express the weight as a percentage increase from Standard 1x19 to Compacted Strand.

How much heavier is Compact Strand compared with Standard 1x19?
Wire Diameter 2.5mm 3mm 4mm 5mm 6mm 7mm 8mm 10mm 12mm
11% 9% 13% 11% 10% 9% 11% 11% 15%

Compacted Strand compared with Standard 1x19 Wire Rigging - Summary

Compact Strand is significantly stronger

Compact Strand has appreciably less stretch

The extra strength reduces the rigging strain as a proportion of the wire's ultimate break load, reducing stress and further minimising any elongation

Compact Strand is slightly heavier - this could be offset by dropping down a diameter in size if weight aloft is critical 

Compact Strand is more expensive

Conclusion

The strength and lack of stretch in Standard 1x19 are perfectly acceptable for Standing Rigging on Cruising Yachts.

Compacted Strand delivers significantly more strength and appreciably less stretch than standard 1x19 wire, albeit with a marginal increase in weight and a higher price tag.

Therefore, Compacted Strand Wire can be an excellent choice for standing rigging on performance cruising and racing yachts.

Standard 1x19

Compact Strand