Paracord 550

Military Use

The outer braided part has a high count of intertwined strands, giving the paracord sheath a relatively smooth texture. Its all-nylon construction makes it quite elastic. Depending on its use, it can be either a helpful tool or a last resort in an emergency. Despite the historical association of paracord with paratroopers, practically all American units had access to it. It is used in almost any situation where lightweight and strong rope is needed. Typical uses include attaching various equipment to vehicles or gear, as well as securing small or important items that tend to get lost. Stringing various beads onto paracord turns it into a highly useful tool for counting distances traveled in unfamiliar terrain.

The inner fibers (commonly referred to as "guts") can be removed when a thinner rope is needed; for example, as a thread for repairing equipment or used as fishing lines in emergency situations. The nylon sheath is often used on its own, core strands removed, when a thinner or less elastic rope is needed; for instance, as a shoelace. The ends of the paracord are almost always melted and sealed to prevent fraying of the inner fibers.
Besides its purely functional purpose, paracord can be used as a stylish accessory - tied or braided bracelets, neck cords, belts, and other decorative items. These are sometimes tied in a way that allows them to be easily untied for immediate use. Some companies use paracord in conjunction with other necessary equipment to create survival kits.

Types of Paracord

The US Military specifications for paracord are detailed in the MIL-C-5040H document into six types: I, IA, II, IIA, III, IV. Types IA and IIA consist exclusively of a sheath without a core. Type III is the most widely used, with its minimum tensile strength set at 550 pounds (approximately 250 kg). Hence the nickname "550 cord". The US military currently has no specific diameter requirements for paracord, which typically measures 5/32 inches (4 mm) in diameter. The core (also known as Kern) consists of several strands and the number is determined by the type of paracord. Each fiber is made of two (civilian) or three (military) smaller twisted nylon fibers.

Thickness

The military version type III 550 may be slightly thicker than the civilian version due to the use of three nylon strands for the inner core, as opposed to two nylon strands for the civilian version. The military version will be closer to 4 mm and the civilian version closer to 3 mm in thickness. Thickness will also vary because type III uses 7, 8, or 9 inner strands. The most commonly used civilian version has 7 strands in the core.

Colors

There are only a few colors that meet military requirements: black, sand, green, olive, red (also known as medical red), orange (also known as safety orange), dark blue, and white. All colors other than those mentioned above should be considered as civilian colors unless their supplier can provide a valid military certificate stating otherwise. The process and materials used to dye and process the fibers determine whether paracord can be considered military or just a standalone color. Due to the high demand for type III on the civilian market, many suppliers manufacture paracord on the same machine and use some manufacturing processes for the military version.

Military Production

1. Fibers used for the outer sheath of paracord must be dyed with approved dyes - the dye cannot compromise the structure of the fibers or the finished product.
2. Undyed/natural fibers are tightly interwoven to create inner strands - 3 bundles of fiber per core strand.
3. The sheath is then braided over the core (the number of core strands is determined by the type of paracord, type III has 7-9 strands).
4. Paracord is then steamed to tighten the whole structure.

Manufacturer Marking

Manufacturers meeting military requirements are required to insert their marking into the fibers. Each manufacturer should use a different color that is specific to them. In case of damage to the paracord, it would be easier to trace its manufacturer. Types 1A and 2A have the marked fiber on the sheath as they do not contain any inner core. Types 1, III, and IV will have a core containing the manufacturer's specific color. Any paracord not bearing this mark should be considered a commercial version, unless the supplier can provide a valid military certificate stating otherwise.

Inner Core Colors

In 2012, some commercial manufacturers began placing various colored nylon fibers into the cores of their paracord. This was due to a shortage of pure white fibers on the market. Because of this fact, specific military marking of the inner fibers of paracord had to adapt to the market.

Availability in the Civil Market

The same properties of paracord that have been appreciated by soldiers for years are also useful in the civilian sphere. After World War II, paracord became available to civilians, first as military surplus, then as a widely available retail product sold in army shops and online stores. Even though some commercially available paracords are made according to military specifications, and are labeled as such, the product may not exactly match the military specification in construction, quality, color, or strength. Particularly poor examples of such processing may have significantly fewer sheath or core strands, a core formed by a bulk strand rather than individual fibers, or contain materials other than nylon.

Since the 1970s, paracord has also been used for its versatility. The durability and versatility of this material have proven beneficial for conducting various whip disciplines. Nylon's resistance to rotting and molding has made it known as an ideal all-weather material. The popularity of whips made from paracord has surged in the last few decades.

Hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts sometimes use "survival bracelets or keychains" made from several meters of paracord, woven into a compact and wearable form. These ornaments are designed to be unwrapped when reliable rope is needed for any purpose - securing a load, building a shelter, stopping bleeding, making traps, improvised fishing gear, etc.