Product Description
Aluminum or Stainless Steel?
Rappel Bars from SMC come in two material options, Aluminum or Stainless Steel. There are several technical reasons for selecting the right material for your application.
Aluminum Bars have many advantages. It’s lighter weight and lower cost make it a great choice for uses where hauling the rack or replacing bars is a concern. But for applications with high use, aluminum will wear down faster than steel.
Stainless Steel Bars are more durable and can handle heat better from heavy loads and longer rappels. Because of this durability, stainless steel also allows for a smoother and faster rappel than would be safe with aluminum.
CAUTION! IMPORTANT NOTE! – Do not use a Tie-Off Bar to slow your descent when using the U-shape brake bars as the friction resulting when the rope passes over the straight edge of the brake bar may cause excessive wear and/or damage to the rope with the potential for system failure. Before use make sure to ask a professional or find a trainer in your area before assembly and use!
The SMC 7/8" Angled Slot Aluminum Brake Bar is machined from solid aluminum stock, these bars give you maximum friction and good wear characteristics. The angled slot helps keep bars stay once it has been snapped in place. Lighter than stainless steel bars, these larger 7/8'' bars have replaced earlier 3/4'' versions.
The SMC 7/8" Stainless Steel Brake Bar is machined from solid stainless steel stock, these bars give you maximum strength and great wear characteristics making this virtually the longest lasting bar on your rack. The ''training'' groove helps to keep the rope centered on the bar while descending and the straight slot means the bar is held in place by the rope to help prevent rigging the rope in backwards. Anodized blue to help aid in the quick identification of this brake bar on an assembled rappel rack.
The SMC 1" Tubular Stainless Steel Brake Bar features an angled slot. Using stainless steel means that the bar will last longer and will not leave the residual aluminum streaks on your rope like the aluminum alternatives. The angled slot helps keep bars still once it has been snapped in place. Manufactured from Stainless Steel.
Aluminum vs. stainless steel?
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Aluminum is lighter.
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Aluminum is less costly.
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Aluminum provides greater levels of friction.
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Stainless steel is more durable, handles additional heat developed under heavy loads and on longer rappel.
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Stainless steel allows for a smoother/faster rappel.
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Stainless steel helps keep ropes “cleaner” and lasts longer.
Why use the different styles of bars?
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Tie-Off Bars provide added friction/control and facilitate lock-off of rope to maintain position and/or hold a load.
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Bars with the “training” groove are be used as 1st or 2nd bar to help keep ropes aligned properly.
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Bars with angled slot are designed to “snap” onto rack frame for more secure placement.
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Bars with straight slot are designed for added safety so that the rack may not be loaded backwards.
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U shaped stainless steel bars are designed to help dissipate heat and reduce weight. (Note – please refer to warning on the use of U shaped bars with tie-off bars.)
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
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SMC Brake Bars are aluminum or stainless steel and available in a variety of styles and sizes.
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SMC Aluminum brake bars are available in 7/8".
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SMC Aluminum brake bars available with straight or angled slot and with or without “training” groove.
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SMC Stainless steel brake bars are available as U-shaped or tubular style and with or without a “training” groove.
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SMC Stainless steel Tie-Off Bars (aka Hyperbars) are designed to facilitate quick and easy lock-off.
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SMC Stainless steel Tie-off Bars aid in creating greater compression on other bars for better friction control.
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SMC racks & bars may be purchased separately so that the user may have a greater range of set-up configurations tailored to meet their individual needs for non-NFPA applications and as replacement parts.
IMPORTANT CAUTIONARY NOTE – Do not use a Tie-Off Bar to slow your descent when using the U-shape brake bars as the friction resulting when the rope passes over the straight edge of the brake bar may cause excessive wear and/or damage to the rope with the potential for system failure.
