A Technical Bulletin titled Rope Inspection and Retirement - Arborist, published by Samson Ropes is one of the most useful, relatively simple rope information guides around. Keep a copy handy - it makes a good arborist reference file.
Here's an except about friction temperatures to get you started:
"When using rope, friction can be your best friend or worst enemy if it is not managedproperly. By definition, friction creates heat, the greater the friction, the greater the heat buildup. Heat is an enemy to synthetic fiber and elevatedtemperatures can drastically reduce the strength and/or cause rope melt-through.High temperatures can be achieved when surging rope on a capstan, checking ropes on a cable, or running over stuck or non-rolling sheaves or rollers.Each rope’s construction and fiber type will yield a different coefficient of friction (reluctance to slip) in a new and used state. It is important tounderstand the operational demands and ensure the size, rope construction and fiber type be taken into account to minimize heat buildup.
Never let ropes under tension rub together or move relative to one another. Enough heat to melt the fibers can buildup and cause the rope to fail as quicklyas if it had been cut with a knife.
Always be aware of areas of heat buildup and take steps to minimize it; under no circumstances let any rope come in contact with an exhaust muffler orany other hot object.The strength of a used rope can be determined by testing, but the rope is destroyed in the process so the ability to determine theretirement point before it fails in service is essential. That ability is based on a combination of education in rope use and construction along with goodjudgment and experience. Remember, you almost always get what you pay for in the form of performance and reliability.
