Why choose Compacted Strand for your Standing Rigging
Discover 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
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
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.
| 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:
| 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.
| 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.
| 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.
| 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.
| 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.