Yarns for Wire and Cable Applications
Cable ripcords, binder yarns and water-swellable aramid strength members for fiber optic, copper and power cable, engineered for abrasion resistance, processing speed, yield, gauge and weight.
Our proprietary water-absorbing swellable yarns and non-wicking textile yarns are designed to run clean, with less build-up, powdering and processing issues than most older product designs.
We're a U.S.-based, global leader in developing and manufacturing engineered yarns and threads. We help wire and cable manufacturers solve material availability and textile processing challenges by sharing our knowledge, global supply chain partnerships and advanced processing techniques.
Customers who value quality, reliability, technical support and short lead times for their technical yarn needs choose Service Thread.
Improve your products & processes
- High-quality, precision-wound product design
- Variety of package types and sizes
- Product and process technical support
- Same-day shipping
- Short lead times
Aramid strength members
Para-aramid with a water-swellable finish, in standard and high-modulus grades, so one yarn delivers tensile strength and water blocking in fiber optic and copper cable designs.
| Construction | Strength (lbs) | Yield (yds/lb) | Elongation | Modulus (g/d) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Modulus | ||||
| 1000 Swellable | 53 | 3,725 | 3.5% | 740 |
| 1500 Swellable | 77 | 2,630 | 3.3% | 740 |
| High Modulus | ||||
| 1420 HM Swellable | 70 | 2,675 | 2.6% | 935 |
| 2840 HM Swellable | 137 | 1,365 | 2.4% | 885 |
Yield includes the swellable finish. Other deniers are available on request.
The swellable finish blocks water along the cable core without a separate tape or yarn.
The HM grades stretch less under load, protecting fibers and conductors during installation pulls.
Coatings for wire & cable
Common coatings applied to our yarns to solve the problems cable makers face on the line and in the field.
Super-absorbent coating designed to block water penetration.
Hydrophobic coating designed to prevent water migration. Typical migration is less than one inch vertically in a six-hour period.
Ripcord coating for easier, more consistent ripping without breakage. Designed with armor-jacketed cables in mind.
Various waxes applied to aid stiffness and tackiness of material, primarily for cable harness tying.
Ripcords for all materials
High-performance, abrasion-resistant ripcords that rip through armor and sheath with no breaks or hang-ups. Properties of our most popular constructions:
| Construction | Strength (lbs) | Yield (yds/lb) | Elongation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Twist | |||
| 1000/1 | 50 | 4,400 | 3-4% |
| 1500/1 | 72 | 2,860 | 3-4% |
| Cabled | |||
| 1000/1/2 | 90 | 2,070 | 4-5% |
| 1000/1/3 | 140 | 1,380 | 4-5% |
| 1500/1/2 | 140 | 1,380 | 4-5% |
| 1500/1/3 | 200 | 935 | 4-5% |
| Construction | Strength (lbs) | Yield (yds/lb) | Elongation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Twist | |||
| 1000/1 | 20 | 4,400 | 13% |
| 1300/1 | 24 | 3,400 | 13% |
| 1500/1 | 28 | 2,900 | 13% |
| Cabled | |||
| 1000/1/2 | 35 | 2,070 | 15% |
| 1000/1/3 | 57 | 1,400 | 15% |
| 1000/1/4 | 70 | 1,035 | 15% |
| Construction | Strength (lbs) | Yield (yds/lb) | Elongation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Twist | |||
| 840/1 | 18 | 5,300 | 20% |
| 1050/1 | 20 | 4,250 | 22% |
| 1260/1 | 28 | 3,500 | 20% |
| Cabled | |||
| 840/1/2 | 34 | 2,650 | 21% |
| 1260/1/4 | 112 | 885 | 20% |
| 1680/2/3 | 220 | 450 | 22% |
A variety of other fibers and constructions is available on request.
Dependable binder yarn cobbs
With the many types of binders and braider equipment used in wire and cable manufacturing, we offer diverse packaging options to support them all. Contact us for the best material type, construction and package size for your application.
| Construction | Strength (lbs) | Yield (yds/lb) | Elongation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester | |||
| 840 | 16 | 5,300 | 13% |
| 1000 | 20 | 4,400 | 13% |
| 1300 | 24 | 3,400 | 13% |
| 1500 | 28 | 2,900 | 13% |
| 1500 Low Shrink | 22 | 2,880 | 23% |
| Nylon | |||
| 5040 | 94 | 860 | 20% |
| Para-Aramid | |||
| 1000 | 50 | 4,400 | 3-4% |
| 1500 | 72 | 2,860 | 3-4% |
Other fibers and constructions are available on request.
Binders are also available as dual-end packages and in low-shrink versions.
Our swellable, non-wicking and other coatings can also be applied to binders.
Services and solutions, fast
We customize products and services to fit your needs. We'll shorten your lead times and help you improve efficiency. Reach out for technical assistance and scientific explanations.
Speak with the experts
Our team will visit your site to personally assess your processes for improvements.
Wire & cable yarn FAQs
What is a ripcord in a cable?
A ripcord is a strong yarn laid under a cable's jacket or armor. Pulling it slits the jacket lengthwise so installers can reach the fibers or conductors without a blade that could nick them. We make ripcords in aramid, polyester and nylon, with an abrasion-resistant coating for armored cable.
What does a binder yarn do in a cable?
Binder yarns are wrapped helically around a cable core to hold buffer tubes, conductors or fiber bundles in place during stranding and jacketing. We supply polyester, nylon and para-aramid binders, including low-shrink, dual-end and coated versions, on packages sized for common braiders and binder heads.
What is a water-swellable aramid strength member?
It is para-aramid yarn with a superabsorbent finish. The aramid carries the tensile load during installation and service, and if water gets into the cable the finish swells to block it from traveling along the core. We offer 1000 and 1500 denier standard-modulus and 1420 and 2840 denier high-modulus grades.
What is the difference between standard and high-modulus aramid?
High-modulus aramid stretches less under load. Our high-modulus swellable grades run 885 to 935 g/d modulus at 2.4 to 2.6% elongation, versus 740 g/d and 3.3 to 3.5% for standard modulus, which helps limit strain on optical fibers during installation pulls.
Which ripcord material should I choose: aramid, polyester or nylon?
Aramid gives the highest strength (50 to 200 lbs) with the lowest stretch (3 to 5% elongation). Polyester is a lower-cost option at 13 to 15% elongation, and nylon offers the most stretch at 20 to 22%. The right choice depends on jacket material, armor and how the cable will be opened, and our technical team can recommend a construction.
What coatings are available on wire and cable yarns?
We apply water-swellable, non-wicking, abrasion-resistant and waxed coatings. The non-wicking coating typically limits water migration to less than one inch vertically over six hours. These coatings can be applied to ripcords and binders as well as strength members.
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