Anatomy of a Bungee Cord: A Prompt Overview

All bungee cords stretch, but what sets the Quality bungee cords apart from the rest? The following article will provide an overview of what goes into a bungee cord.

Our marine-grade bungee cord, also called shock cord or stretch cord, is widely used due to its reliable stretch, rugged jacket, and long service life. These characteristics set us apart from other bungees on the market, and are the reason we are a trusted supplier to many manufacturers of outdoor applications. Quality Nylon Rope’s bungee cords are incorporated in covers, sports and agricultural netting, recreational watercraft, commercial fishing, and many more outdoor demanding applications.

Here is a quick look at the key components that make up a bungee cord:

1. Rubber Core

The heart of a bungee cord is its elastic core, made from premium rubber, either natural latex or synthetic. Just like not all bungees are created equal, the same applies to the rubber used. One way that other manufacturers save money is by using a lower-quality latex rubber that incorporates more filler material. As a result of this, those rubber cores tend to wear out and break significantly quicker than a more quality latex core.

2. Properties of Bungee Rubber

Rubber’s properties allow it to absorb and release energy efficiently, making it useful in numerous applications. The core’s ability to stretch and recoil is due to the molecular structure of the rubber, specifically the long, flexible polymer chains that make it up. When the bungee cord is stretched, these polymer chains straighten and align in the direction of the pull. As tension is released, the chains return to their natural, coiled state, causing the cord to snap back to its original length.

This process, known as elastic deformation, is a key feature of rubber materials. The natural elasticity allows the cord to withstand repeated stretching without permanent deformation, maintaining its strength and flexibility over time. Additionally, the high tensile strength of rubber ensures that it can endure significant stress without breaking, making it highly reliable for dynamic uses like securing heavy loads or absorbing shock in recreational activities.

3. Protective Jacket

Our bungee cord has a rugged, ribbed jacket with a tight weave usually made of polyester or polypropylene. This adds an extra layer of protection to protect the rubber from harsh conditions such as the rigors of marine environments, abrasion, UV rays, and other environmental factors. Having a tight and durable jacket on the bungee reduces damage and fatigue, extending the cord’s lifespan. Our specific bungee style offers a thicker, ribbed jacket, which improves gripping, provides extra wear protection, and helps mitigate friction impacting the core performance.

4. End Fittings

One of the most commonly recognized applications for bungee cords is part of an assembly used to secure items. Many different hardware fittings are used with bungee cords:

• Hooks: Available in both metal and plastic, these are used for attaching the cord to anchor points.
• Loops: Integrated loops or eyelets for secure attachment.
• Carabiners: Used in heavy-duty applications for added security.

5. Applications

Our cord is approximately 100% stretch, which means the cord can extend to double its original length. 100% stretch is pretty common for common bungee application such as:

• Securing Goods: Keeping items in place during transport.
• Outdoor Fun: Activities like bungee jumping or trampolining.
• Everyday Tasks: Creating custom tie-down solutions or working on outdoor projects.

6. Usage and Safety

To ensure safety:

• Wear Protective Gear: Bungee builds a lot of force when stretched, and could snap back unexpectedly if not handled properly. Wear proper protection, especially vision protection, is strongly suggested.
• Inspect Regularly: Check for wear and tear, discard and replace if there is any visible damage.
• Follow Guidelines: Adhere to the recommended length and load capacities.

In addition to the items we stock, Quality Nylon Rope manufactures a number of custom spec bungee for US manufacturers. We have the capability to modify our bungee in ways other manufacturers cannot. This is accomplished by using additional controls we designed into our equipment that allow us to finely-tune the stretch of rubber performance and offer high power bungees.

Knowing these components will help you understand what is behind a bungee cord and ensure you use them effectively and safely. Whether you need a specific length for a project or a preferred color/material, we proudly manufacture a great range of options, and you can find the right fit to meet your needs.

Do you have any other questions on bungee cords, or have any specific requirement that you need help with? Please reach out to us at 800-519-4878 or sales@qualitynylonrope.com