Rope structure with improved bending fatigue and abrasion resistance characteristics

A method of forming a rope structure adapted to engage a bearing structure while loads are applied to ends of the rope structure, comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of fibers;
• combining the plurality of fibers such that the fibers are capable of bearing the loads applied to the ends of the rope structure;
• forming a liquid coating by arranging lubricant particles having an average size of within approximately 0.01 microns to 2.00 microns within a binder;
• applying the liquid coating to the plurality fibers such that at least some of the lubricant particles
• are arranged between at least some of the fibers, and
• are arranged around at least some of the plurality of fibers;
• allowing the liquid coating to dry to form a matrix that supports the lubricant particles such that
• friction between at least some of the plurality of fibers is reduced, and
• friction between the bearing structure and at least some of the plurality of fibers is reduced.