Owing to its superior strength yet extremely lightweight construction, the Samson Rope AmSteel Blue is used in a variety of applications apart from its use by arborists. It also comes in various sizes allowing its use as water ski/wakeboard/kite, trawl/bridle, tug, winch, or rigging line.
The rope is a non-rotational or torque free single braid type with 12 strands. It does not stretch and has excellent resistance to flex fatigue and wear. In terms of its elongation, it is similar to wire ropes. However, it outlasts them on a ratio of 3:1. For this reason, it is often seen as a replacement for wire ropes. It is also easily spliced and inspected.
Notwithstanding this strength, the AmSteel Blue is lightweight. Although it is stronger than steel given the same size, it floats. Because of this, it is often used for water-related applications. This also makes it easier to carry around.
The strength and wear- and fatigue- resistance of the rope is due to its construction solely from Dyneema SK-75 fiber that is coated with Samthane. Dyneema is a high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE). This means that it is a very tough material as it has the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic currently available. Samthane, on the hand, further improves the rope’s resistance to abrasions and cuts. It is also protected from the degradation effects of ultraviolet light with special stabilizers.
The standard color of the rope is blue, but it is also available in red, green, and orange by special order. It comes in various sizes ranging from 3/16″ or 5 mm up to 3 ¾” or 80 mm, with the former weighing 1 lb per foot and the latter 240 lbs.