550 paracord, also called parachute cord, is a strong rope used in parachute suspension lines. Versatile and durable. 550 paracord is strong and flexible, making it a popular choice for many uses outside the military.
The “550” in its name means it can handle heavy loads, with a minimum breaking strength of 550 pounds. Nylon makes this type of cord lightweight, resilient, and weather-resistant. This article will discuss the different uses, features, and benefits of 550 paracord. Explaining why outdoor lovers, survivalists, and DIY enthusiasts find it popular.
What is paracord made of?
550 paracord is strong and versatile. It is important to understand its limits. It is also important to know when to use it safely and effectively.
550 paracord is very strong, with a minimum breaking strength of 550 pounds. However, when using it for weight-bearing activities, climbing, or hammocks, it is important to be cautious.
Core and Sheath Structure
550 paracord consists of two main parts: the core and the sheath.
Core: The core, also called the kern, is made up of seven to nine nylon strands. Each strand has two or three smaller yarns twisted together. This structure makes the paracord flexible and strong. In survival situations, you can separate these inner strands for uses like fishing lines, sewing threads, or making traps.
Sheath: The sheath is the outer layer that covers the core. It is a tightly woven nylon cover that protects the core. The sheath adds to the paracord’s durability and resistance to wear and tear, making it suitable for tough conditions and repeated use. The tight weave gives it a smooth texture, making it easy to handle and tie knots.
Nylon Properties
The use of nylon in 550 paracord gives it several good qualities:
Strength and Durability: Nylon is known for its high strength. This allows 550 paracord to hold weights up to 550 pounds without breaking. It is good for tough tasks and heavy-duty uses.
Elasticity: Nylon has a slight stretch, which helps 550 paracord absorb shocks. This reduces the risk of breaking under stress. This stretch is useful for securing loads or making slings.
Resistance to Elements: Nylon resists water, UV rays, and mildew, making 550 paracord great for outdoor use. It can handle exposure to the weather without getting damaged, ensuring it lasts a long time in different environments.
Additional Features
550 paracord can also have extra features to improve its use:
Reflective Strands: Some paracords have reflective strands in the sheath, which makes them easier to see in low light. This is very useful for outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and emergency signaling.
Colored Sheaths: 550 paracord comes in many colors and patterns, allowing for customization and easy identification. This helps organize gear, create stylish accessories, and make sure the cord blends in or stands out as needed.
Can 550 Paracord Support Weight, Climbing, and Hammocks?
550 paracord is strong and versatile, but it’s important to understand its limits and proper uses for safety. 550 paracord is incredibly strong, with a minimum breaking strength of 550 pounds. Carefully consider using it for weight-bearing activities, climbing, and hammocks.
Weight Support
550 paracord can hold a lot of weight, making it useful for many tasks that involve securing and lifting loads.
Securing Gear: The cord’s strength is perfect for tying down camping gear, securing loads in vehicles, and making temporary straps or harnesses. Its durability ensures it can handle heavy loads without breaking.
Constructing Shelters: 550 paracord is often used in survival situations to build shelters, tie poles together, or hang tarps. Its ability to hold significant weight makes it reliable for these tasks.
Climbing
While 550 paracord is strong, it is not recommended for climbing or any life-safety use where human weight is involved.
Lack of Safety Certification: Climbing ropes are specially made and tested to meet strict safety standards. These ropes can handle dynamic loads and impacts. 550 paracord does not meet these standards and is not certified for climbing.
Dynamic Loads: Climbing involves dynamic loads and falls that create forces much greater than the static weight capacity of 550 pounds. Paracord does not have the needed elasticity and shock absorption to safely handle these forces, making it unsafe for climbing.
Hammocks
Using 550 paracord for hammocks is generally not recommended, although it can be used in some specific situations.
Weight Distribution: While 550 paracord can hold up to 550 pounds, the weight of a person in a hammock is spread over multiple points of stress. Over time, this can cause the paracord to stretch and weaken, which might lead to failure.
Comfort and Stability: Thicker ropes made for hammocks provide better support and stability. They spread the weight more evenly, reducing pressure points and increasing comfort. Paracord, being thinner, may not offer the same comfort and stability.
Safety Concerns: For safety and reliability, it’s best to use ropes specifically designed for hammocks. These ropes are thicker, more durable, and offer better overall support.
Appropriate Uses
While 550 paracord is not suitable for climbing or primary hammock suspension, it is great for many other uses:
Emergency Situations: 550 paracord is very useful in emergencies. You can use it to create tourniquets, tie splints, or make rescue lines.
Outdoor Activities: It’s perfect for crafting, fixing gear, and making utility lines for camping or hiking.
Everyday Uses: Paracord is great for DIY projects. You can make keychains, bracelets, or use it to secure household items.
Is Paracord Buoyant, Abrasion-Resistant, and Tangle-Free?
Understanding the unique features of 550 paracord is important. It floats, resists wear, and tends to get tangled. Knowing these features will help in deciding if 550 paracord is suitable for various uses. Each of these properties influences the effectiveness and suitable applications of paracord.
Buoyancy
Not Naturally Buoyant: 550 paracord is mostly made of nylon, which does not float. When put in water, it usually sinks. This should be considered for water-related activities.
Specialized Variants: Some types of paracord are made to float by adding buoyant materials to the sheath or core. If you need the cord to float, like in boating or water rescue, choose these special types.
Abrasion Resistance
High Abrasion Resistance: 550 paracord is highly resistant to wear and tear. The tightly woven nylon sheath protects it from damage, making it durable in tough conditions.
Ideal for Rugged Use: This resistance to abrasion makes 550 paracord perfect for rugged environments. It is great for securing gear during hiking, building shelters, or making temporary straps and bindings. It can handle friction against rough surfaces without fraying quickly.
Extended Lifespan: The durability of 550 paracord ensures it stays strong over long periods, even in tough conditions. This makes it a reliable choice for outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists.
Tangle-Free Properties
Tendency to Tangle: Because of its flexibility and smooth nylon texture, 550 paracord can sometimes tangle if not stored properly. This can be inconvenient when you need to use it quickly.
Proper Storage Techniques: To avoid tangling, use good storage methods. Coil the paracord neatly and secure it with a rubber band or paracord fastener. You can also use a paracord spool or winder to keep it organized and ready to use.
Easy to Manage: Even though it can tangle, 550 paracord is generally easy to untangle and handle. With proper storage and care, it can stay tangle-free and be ready for use when you need it.
Practical Implications
Water Activities: For activities needing floating rope, like boating or fishing, standard 550 paracord may not be the best unless you choose the buoyant types. Still, its strength and durability make it good for securing equipment on boats.
Outdoor and Survival: The high abrasion resistance of 550 paracord makes it ideal for outdoor and survival uses, where it faces rough surfaces and constant use. Its strength ensures it can handle tough conditions.
Everyday Use: For everyday tasks like crafting or household use, proper storage will keep 550 paracord tangle-free and easy to use. This makes it convenient and practical for many needs.
How Much Does Paracord Stretch, Weigh, and Measure?
Understanding the physical properties of 550 paracord is crucial. This includes knowing how much it stretches, its weight, and its measurements. This knowledge will enable you to use this versatile cord effectively in various situations.
This will help you use this versatile cord effectively in different situations. These qualities show how paracord can effectively meet specific needs in different situations.
Stretch
Elasticity: 550 paracord has slight elasticity. While it is mainly designed to be strong and durable, the nylon fibers allow for a small amount of stretch, typically around 30% under its full breaking load.
Shock Absorption: This slight stretch provides shock absorption, which is useful for applications with sudden or dynamic loads. For example, when securing gear or building shelters, the paracord’s stretch helps distribute weight and reduce the risk of breakage.
Controlled Stretch: Although the stretch is useful, 550 paracord is not as stretchy as bungee cord or other highly elastic materials. It offers controlled stretch, making it reliable for tasks that need both flexibility and stability.
Weight
Lightweight Material: One key advantage of 550 paracord is its lightweight nature. A typical 100-foot length of 550 paracord weighs about 7 ounces (around 200 grams). This makes it easy to carry and store, especially for outdoor activities where keeping weight low is important.
High Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Despite being lightweight, 550 paracord has an impressive strength-to-weight ratio. It can support up to 550 pounds (250 kilograms), making it very efficient for heavy-duty tasks while still being easy to handle and transport.
Measurements
Standard Diameter: 550 paracord has a standard diameter of about 4 millimeters (0.16 inches). This size makes it versatile for detailed work, like crafting or tying intricate knots, while being thick enough to provide substantial strength and durability.
Length Variations: Paracord comes in various lengths, typically sold in 50-foot, 100-foot, and even 1000-foot spools. This variety allows users to choose the right amount of paracord for their specific needs, whether for small projects or larger tasks.
Inner Strands: The cord has a kernmantle design, with a woven outer sheath and a core of seven to nine inner strands. These inner strands can be used separately for finer tasks, such as fishing lines, sewing threads, or emergency repairs.
Practical Implications
Outdoor and Survival Uses: The lightweight and high strength-to-weight ratio of 550 paracord make it perfect for outdoor and survival uses. It is easy to pack and carry, and its controlled stretch and durability ensure reliability in various conditions.
Crafting and DIY Projects: The standard diameter and different lengths available make 550 paracord ideal for crafting and DIY projects. Its flexibility and strength are great for making bracelets, keychains, and other items that need both aesthetic appeal and functionality.
Emergency Preparedness: In emergencies, having a lightweight yet strong cord is crucial. 550 paracord’s slight stretch and strong construction make it essential for emergency kits, providing reliable performance when needed most.
How to choose the right 550 paracord for you?
Selecting the right 550 paracord means knowing what you need it for. For outdoor activities like camping or hiking, choose high-quality paracord with a strong sheath and inner strands. Make sure it has good abrasion resistance and durability to handle tough conditions.
For crafting and DIY projects, pick paracord in various colors and patterns. This lets you be creative while keeping strength and reliability. For emergency preparedness, choose versatile and durable paracord with features like reflective strands for visibility in low light.
Traditional 550 paracord is made from nylon, which is very strong and elastic. Some paracords are made from polyester, which can resist UV light better and stretch less. Choose nylon for versatility and strength, and polyester if UV resistance is important.
Look for paracord that meets military specifications (MIL-C-5040H) for the best quality. Certified paracords are tested for strength and durability, ensuring they meet high standards.
Reflective strands are good for low-light conditions, improving safety during outdoor activities. Glow-in-the-dark paracord is great for special uses, as it lights up at night. Colored sheaths help with organization and easy identification.
Think about how much paracord you need. It comes in lengths from 50 feet to 1000 feet, with 100-foot lengths being common. Spools are good for big projects, while pre-cut lengths are handy for specific tasks.
Higher-quality paracord can be more costly, but it performs better and lasts longer. Choose the best quality you can afford to ensure reliability. Buying from reputable brands ensures you get a good product.
Store your paracord in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to keep it in good condition. Avoid chemicals and extreme temperatures. Regularly check your paracord for wear and replace worn sections as needed.
FAQ
Q1: What is 550 paracord made of?
A: 550 paracord is primarily made of nylon, consisting of an outer sheath with seven to nine inner strands, each made of two or three smaller yarns twisted together.
Q2: How strong is 550 paracord?
A: 550 paracord has a minimum breaking strength of 550 pounds, making it suitable for a variety of heavy-duty applications.
Q3: Can 550 paracord be used for climbing?
A: No, 550 paracord is not suitable for climbing or life-safety applications. It lacks the necessary certification and elasticity required to handle dynamic loads safely.
Q4: Is 550 paracord waterproof?
A: 550 paracord is water-resistant but not waterproof. It does not absorb water easily and dries quickly, making it suitable for outdoor use.
Q5: How much does 550 paracord weigh?
A: A typical 100-foot length of 550 paracord weighs approximately 7 ounces (about 200 grams), making it lightweight and easy to carry.
Conclusion
550 paracord is a versatile, durable, and reliable tool suitable for a wide range of applications. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a survivalist, or a DIY crafter, understanding the properties and appropriate uses of 550 paracord can help you make the most of this valuable resource. Its impressive strength, minimal stretch, and resistance to environmental factors make it an essential item for various tasks, from securing gear and building shelters to crafting and emergency preparedness.
