Overview
EN ISO 1346:2021 (ISO 1346:2021) sets standardized requirements for polypropylene fibre ropes used in general service. It covers ropes made from PP2 (split film, monofilament and multifilament polypropylene) and PP3 (polypropylene high-tenacity multifilament) in the following constructions: 3‑strand hawser‑laid (type A), 4‑strand shroud‑laid (type B), 8‑strand braided (type L) and 12‑strand braided (type T). The standard defines designation rules, physical property requirements (linear density and minimum breaking strength), marking and protection (e.g., UV protection), and references test methods.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and application: Applies to general‑service polypropylene ropes; it explicitly states it does not cover every possible performance variation and advises consultation with the manufacturer to ensure suitability for specific uses.
- Constructions covered: Types A, B, L and T (3-, 4-, 8- and 12-strand) with drawings and definitions for lay/shape.
- Designation rules: Specifies how to label a rope (e.g., “Fibre rope ISO 1346 – L – 60 – PP2 protected (UV)”), including rope type, reference number and material (PP2 or PP3).
- Physical properties:
- Linear density given in kilotex (ktex) under reference tension and measured per ISO 2307.
- Minimum breaking strength (MBS) listed for new dry and wet ropes in tabulated form; MBS is a manufacturer‑set value determined using recognized statistical methods (see ISO 9554 Annex D).
- Tables relate reference numbers to approximate diameters, linear density tolerances and MBS for unspliced and eye‑spliced terminations.
- General requirements: Manufacture, lay, labelling, packaging and delivery lengths follow ISO 9554.
- Marking and protection: Ropes must be marked and fibres protected against sunlight (UV) as indicated.
Applications and who uses this standard
- Target users: Rope manufacturers, quality managers, procurement specialists, maritime and offshore operators, fishing and aquaculture businesses, logistics and lifting equipment suppliers, and standards/conformity assessors.
- Typical uses: General‑purpose mooring, towing, fender lines, buoy tethering, fishing gear, lashing and many industrial or leisure applications where polypropylene ropes are chosen for light weight, flotation and chemical resistance.
- Why use EN ISO 1346:2021: To ensure consistent specification, testing and labelling of polypropylene ropes (PP2/PP3), to compare products across suppliers, and to document minimum breaking strengths and linear density for design and safety decisions.
Related standards
- ISO 2307 - Determination of certain physical and mechanical properties of fibre ropes (testing method referenced).
- ISO 9554 - General specifications for fibre ropes (construction, labelling, packaging).
- ISO 1968 - Fibre ropes vocabulary (terms and definitions).
Keywords: EN ISO 1346:2021, polypropylene ropes, fibre ropes, PP2, PP3, 3‑strand, 4‑strand, 8‑strand, 12‑strand, minimum breaking strength, linear density, ISO 2307, ISO 9554.
