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Glossary of Rope Fibers

Rope Fibers and Types Glossary

Welcome to our glossary of rope fibers and types. We hope the definition you are looking for is included here. Simply click on a name below to bring you to that section. Please drop us an e-mail if there is a term missing which you would deem valuable, and we'll get it added as soon as possible. Thanks for stopping by.

Rope Fibers & Types

12-STRAND S-BRAID

Round single-braid rope construction designed to offer high strengths and ease of splicing. Single braids offer significant improvement in performance over twisted and eight-strand plaited ropes.

3-STRAND

Traditional rope construction consisting of three equally sized strands twisted together to produce a very fine, durable rope. Standard designs are available in nylon, polyester, polypropylene, and specialized blends.

COMBOS

A uniquely designed rope which combines polyester and polypropylene/polyethylene fibers together.  This design combines the durability and high abrasion resistance of polyester with the light weight of polypropylene/polyethylene.  Most manufacturers have brand names for these ropes such as Hi-Power, Poly-Plus, Combo-Plus.

COTTON

For handling quality, cotton is hard to beat. It is soft and pliable, and easy on the hands. Being a natural fiber, it does not have the strength or durability of synthetic fiber ropes. It is used for sash cord, clothesline, and Venetian blind cord.

DACRON®

DuPont's trade name for their polyester fiber. Much less elastic than nylon, with slightly lower strength. Not affected by common alkalis or acids. Excellent U.V. resistance. Very good wet or dry abrasion resistance.

DOUBLE BRAID

Exceptionally strong rope construction composed of a core braid containing within an outer braided jacket. Double braids are torque-free, have very good abrasion resistance, and offer excellent strength to weight ratios. Ropes are available in nylon, polyester, and combinations of fibers, including Kevlar® and Spectra®, that are designed to maximize the advantages inherent in different fiber classes.

GOLD BRAID®

A gold and white colored Braid-On-Braid nylon rope, consisting of a braided jacket over a braided core. Combines excellent performance, spliceability and handsome appearance. This jacket has alternating white and gold yarns.

KEVLAR®

100% braided Kevlar® core and blended spun filament polyester cover braid. This design is intended to derive maximum benefit from the ultra high strength, low stretch properties of Kevlar®. Due to the susceptibility of Kevlar® to abrade in bending situations, this construction is intended for use in situations such as standing rigging where the rope is not subject to excessive bending loads.

MANILA

The best known natural fiber rope. At one time, it was the best rope fiber available. Manila must be handled and stored with care as any dampness will cause it to rot.

MULTILINE II

A combination rope design in which each strand consists of a polypropylene core wrapped with 100% polyester cover yarns made of blended staple and filament fibers. Lighter and lower in strength then Dacron, but with similar stretch characteristics. Excellent U.V. resistance.

NYLON

The first synthetic fiber rope manufactured. Due to its elasticity, nylon can absorb sudden shock loads that would break ropes of other fibers. It has very good resistance to abrasion and will last four to five times longer than natural fiber ropes. Nylon rope is rot proof and not damaged by oils, gasoline, grease marine growth or most chemicals other than acids.

NYLON DOUBLE BRAID

Nylon cover/nylon core. Most elastic double-braid construction; has excellent energy absorbing characteristics. Good abrasion resistance wet or dry. Minimal strength loss due to U.V. Affected by strong mineral acids.

NYLON S BRAID

100% nylon 12-strand single braid. Superior in strength and performance characteristics to 3-strand and plaited rope constructions. The single-braid design will not rotate under load or hockle when a load is released. Stays firm and round under load. Easy to splice. Strips and renders well on winches and capstans. Designed to be used in place of 3-strand and plaited ropes in all applications where improved performance is necessary.

PARALLEL CORE ROPE

Specialized construction consisting of a parallel fiber core wrapped with a double layer of polyester tape and covered with a braided jacket. Unlike other parallel core ropes, this rope is easily spliced using a technique similar to that used for double braids. The parallel core rope provides very high strength and exceptionally low elongation.

POLYESTER

A very strong synthetic with excellent abrasion resistance. Polyester does not have the stretch and elasticity of nylon. Polyester is superior to nylon with respect to cycle loading and abrasion. Also available with specially designed finishes to improve handling and extend life in a harsh marine environment.

POLYESTER DOUBLE BRAID

Polyester cover/polyester core. Very low elongating construction - much less elastic than nylon. Excellent abrasion resistance wet or dry. Superior resistance to U.V. degradation. Excellent chemical resistance except to concentrated sulphuric acid and strong alkalis at elevated temperatures.

POLYESTER/NYLON DOUBLE BRAID

Polyester cover/nylon core. Unique combination of fibers designed to provide a balanced rope construction of extremely high strength. Stronger than either nylon or polyester double braid, but offering elasticity similar to that of an all nylon rope. The polyester cover braid offers the same excellent abrasion and chemical resistance as found in the all-polyester rope.

POLYESTER S BRAID

100% polyester single braid. Highest strength s-braid available. Provides all the advantages associated with polyester in a torque-free, flexible construction.

POLYETHYLENE

A floating rope somewhat like polypropylene but slightly heavier. Polyethylene's handling characteristics are a little different than polypropylene. It is not quite as strong, size for size, but has better abrasion resistance. It is available in twisted and hollow braid construction.

POLYPROPYLENE (Poly)

A lightweight, strong rope that is used extensively. It is a floating rope and is rot proof and unaffected by water, oil, gasoline, and most chemicals. Polypropylene rope is available in monofilament fiber, which is smooth surfaced, or multifilament fiber, which has a somewhat velvety appearance and feel. New generation polypropylene ropes have been developed which have superior strength and abrasion resistance.

PRO*LINE

A Wellington registered trade name for multifilament polypropylene rope. Available in either solid or diamond braid and laid (twisted) construction.

SISAL

A rope that is used primarily where strength and durability are not important. It is softer and more pliable than manila. Sisal is a natural fiber that deteriorates rapidly when exposed to weather.

SPECT-SET DOUBLE BRAID

Polyester cover/Spectra® core. The strength member core design utilizes the exceptional performance properties of Spectra®. High tensile strength, very low stretch, and lightweight. The tough durable jacket provides excellent abrasion and chemical resistance. The core is provided with a special coating to reduce slipping between the cover and core.

STA-SET K-900

Core braid consisting of a combination of Kevlar® and Spectra® fibers and a filament polyester cover. This design combines the best properties of the two strongest, lowest stretch fibers commercially available. Problems associated with the exclusive use of either of these fibers, such as the poor abrasion resistance of Kevlar® or the creep and excessive slipperiness of Spectra® are virtually eliminated through the special blending of these two fibers in the core braid.

ULTRA HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE (UHMWPE)

An extended chain polyethylene fiber characterized by a very high and narrow molecular weight distribution achieved by gel spinning of the polymer.

UNMANILA®

Combines tradition with progress. Unmanila is constructed from polypropylene fiver with the rich, golden tan color of manila rope. The surface of the rope has the texture of manila with soft hair-like fibers protruding. Unmanila holds a knot extremely well and provides excellent gripping surface to minimize slippage when held. It has all the advantages of the modern synthetics, plus the rope color that many people like. It is rot proof, water proof and not damaged by oil, gasoline or most chemicals. In addition, it floats on the surface of water.