Bungee Cords

What Materials Comprise a Bungee Cord's Inner Core and Sheath?

The core elastic strands can be made of manufactured rubber, natural rubber or a combination of the two. The specific material used for the inner core of the bungee cord can vary greatly depending on what the intended purpose is for the cord. Natural rubber has excellent extensibility, resilience and tensile strength. However, natural rubber is also very prone to damage caused by the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight. Synthetic rubbers are more resistant to damage from sunlight, but they have less resilience and strength.

The woven sheath around the core can be made from a variety of materials, including cotton, polypropylene and nylon. This outer sheath allows for a uniform stretch across the entire bungee cord.

What Can You Use Bungee Cords For?

Bungee cords are very versatile and can be used in a range of situations to help hold things together or securely move heavy objects. You've probably used them yourself or seen them used to secure something large to the top of a car or bed of a pickup truck. But there are a number of other uses for bungee cord including:

• Bundling. Bungee ropes are great for bundling firewood, hoses, lawn tools or extension cords.
• Camping. Bungee cords are perfect for securing sleeping bags, tarps, backpacks, cargo nets or fishing tackle.
• Home. In your home, bungee cords can be used to child-proof cabinets or pull back curtains. They also can be used to secure toys, tools or sporting gear.
• Towing. Towing companies or emergency crews can use very large shock cords to pull vehicles from dangerous situations.