ABSTRACTPhysical properties and structural parameters have been measured for ropes of nylon 6 as a function of the number of use operations. The fractional content of the α crystal form, sound velocity, birefringence, tensile strength and length all increase systematically and significantly with increasing the number of use operations. The fractional content of the γ crystal form and fiber diameter decrease with use. These trends indicate that the measurement of such properties and structural parameters, especially the length, provide a possible basis for establishing a reliable, rapid, and convenient nondestructive characterization method to predict the remaining service life of nylon 6 ropes.
