WHAT IS BUNGEE CORD?

Brief History & Manufacturing of Bungee Cord:

Bungee cord is extremely versatile and is a fairly new kind of cord. Thousands of years ago vines were used and then the cording we know of today was upgraded from vines to other materials until rubber was discovered. Rubber was first able to be made of sap from trees, but it would deteriorate in sunlight due to the UV rays, which later led to the creation of synthetic rubber that is more widely used in today’s shock and elastic cords. Inner strands of the bungee cord are powdered to keep them from sticking together when they are used in warm conditions. A sheath or jacket typically made from nylon is then weaved over those strands to provide more protection from abrasion, rot, and UV fade as well as keeping the bands of rubber together for a stronger and thicker cord.

Uses & Comparison:

Elastic cord is more commonly used for jewelry such as bracelets, necklaces, and anklets. Whereas, shock cord is more for storing and holding items like other cords, tarps, camping equipment, and tying down valuables in a truck. Bungee cord is also widely used to secure boards, skis, and other larger objects to vehicles due to their stretch and flexibility. Elastic cord can stretch up to one and a half times its original length meaning it has an elongation of 50%, and shock cord can stretch up to double its original length meaning it has an elongation of 100%.

Size & Inner Strands:

There are several sizes of bungee cord that each include a different number of inner strands. That number is a key factor in determining the overall strength and diameter of the cord. Some contain more inner strands than a cord with a larger diameter, but the inner strands are smaller in size allowing the smaller cord to still have more strength in order to take on heavy-duty tasks. You can find the number of strands and diameter options allow with other key cord information on our “Cord Size Comparison Chart” page!