Method for forming a high strength synthetic rope

A method for forming a high strength synthetic rope useful for towing warps, trawler warps, yachting ropes, mooring lines, anchoring lines, oil derrick anchoring lines, seismic lines, paravane lines, and any other uses for rope, cable or chain, the method including steps of:

• a) providing a thermoplastic core;
• b) enclosing the thermoplastic core within a sheath capable of mainly stopping the thermoplastic core from exiting the sheath when the thermoplastic core is in a molten phase;
• c) forming a mainly synthetic strength member about the combination of the thermoplastic core and the sheath enclosing the thermoplastic core,
• the method characterized by steps of:
• d) first applying tension to at least the strength member formed about the combination of the thermoplastic core and the sheath enclosing the thermoplastic core;
• e) maintaining tension on at least the strength member;
• and
• f) next applying heat to the combination of the strength member and the thermoplastic core and the sheath enclosing the thermoplastic core so as to cause a phase change of the thermoplastic core and so as to permit permanently elongating at least the strength member;
• g) ascertaining that the strength member has undergone a desired amount of elongation;
• h) while maintaining tension on at least the strength member, cooling at least the combination of the thermoplastic core and the strength member until the thermoplastic core returns to a solid state, thereby forming a high strength light weight synthetic rope.