Plasma® Lifting Rope and Slings
Plasma® UHMWPE rope is a synthetic rope made from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, used across lifting and rigging work either as plain rope or built into slings for overhead lifting. Its appeal comes down to weight: it can be up to seven times lighter than wire rope, which makes it far easier to carry, handle, and use on the job.
What Plasma Rope Is
Plasma rope is made from a high-strength synthetic material enhanced through a patented recrystallization process, with a polyurethane finish on the UHMWPE fiber. It shows low stretch, only 3-4% elongation at break, plus excellent flexibility. Splicing is easy, which shortens repair time, and abrasion resistance holds up in both wet and dry conditions, so the rope works for everything from general lifting and rigging to more demanding setups like marine and wind energy.
12 Strand vs. 12x12 Double Braided
All UHMWPE rope we sell is 100% made in the USA, in two main constructions.
Plasma 12 strand is torque-free and offers the highest strength with the lowest stretch. It floats in water, which makes it a strong fit for vessel mooring lines and inland river barge lines.
Plasma 12x12 double braided is a braided rope made of twelve strands, each of which is itself a 12 strand rope. The result is a much larger rope that works as a high-strength alternative to wire rope. It's much lighter than comparably strong wire rope and extremely flexible, so it suits applications where the rope has to bend.
Plasma Slings
The same strength that makes Plasma rope useful also makes it a good sling material. Our Plasma eye and eye slings come in several standard lengths. They compare to wire rope slings in size and capacity but are lighter and more flexible, with the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any sling type we carry. They're also easy to inspect for damage or repair needs, and they resist abrasion, corrosion, and water.
Where Plasma Rope and Slings Are Used
Strength and flexibility make Plasma a fit for a range of jobs, including offshore lifting applications, tug and salvage lines, and ship and barge mooring lines. Water-based work is especially common because the rope is water resistant and can be made in different buoyancies for different applications. It's also used as recovery and tow rope for large vehicles, among other work.
Benefits at a Glance
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Strong: Plasma rope and slings often match the strength of wire rope and wire rope slings.
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Safer to handle: unlike wire rope, whose broken strands can fly off with dangerous force, Plasma has a very low risk of recoil and behaves differently when it fails.
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Resistant: a polyurethane finish improves resistance to UV rays, water, and corrosion.
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Buoyant: Plasma floats, and it can be configured with different buoyancies for different jobs, including offshore work.
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Easy to splice: splicing and repairs can be done in the field, quickly and without many specialized tools.
Plasma costs more than wire rope, but depending on the job, the benefits can outweigh the added cost.
Plasma Sling Protection
ASME B30.9 (2021) 9-5.10.4(d) requires that "slings in contact with edges, corners, protrusions, or abrasive surfaces shall be protected with a material of sufficient strength, thickness, and construction to prevent damage." We offer a broad selection of sling protection, from wear pads to cut-resistant sleeves to magnetic attachments.
Other Lifting Supplies
Plasma may be the right fit, but if your job calls for another material, we also carry wire rope and wire rope slings, nylon slings, and polyester round slings. Not sure which fits your application? Reach out to our product experts, or contact our customer service team with questions about Plasma.
