Synthetic materials have the further advantage of have a high elasticity. This allows it to absorb shocks in the system that would otherwise break a steel wire or chain. From the graph on the right it is possible to see that the working range of polyester is greater than that of steel wire.
Steel
1 Highly linear load extension to yield point
2 Insighnificant hysteresis loops up to yield point
3 Significant creep only above yield point
Polyester
1 Initial non-linear load extension
2 Hysteresis loops
3 Creep with constant tension in the working load
Having a high elasticity is beneficial for the mooring system as the margin till failure is much greater than if plastic deformation occurs rapidly.
