🔍 Key Concepts

• Melting characteristics of synthetic vs. natural vs. metallic materials • Relative melting points of common rope materials used aboard vessels • Behavior of wire rope when exposed to heat compared with synthetic fibers

💭 Think About

• Which of these materials is not a plastic and how does that affect melting? • Think about which rope materials are known for heat resistance versus those that can be damaged by a hot exhaust or friction. • If you accidentally dragged each type of line quickly over a hot surface (like a winch or bitt), which would you expect to show heat damage first?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which options are synthetic fibers and which is metal. • Consider approximate melting temperatures: which material class typically has the lowest melting point? • Recall from seamanship training which line is warned about as being easily softened or fused by heat and friction.