ABOUT ROPE : CONSTRUCTION
TWIST
Twisted rope, also known as laid rope; it is formed by coiling 3 or 4 strands together in same direction. Twisted is the oldest form rope construction and is also the most common construction form today.
Twisted rope can be spliced and is available in all types of fiber for general purpose use.
DOUBLE BRAID
Double braid is two braided ropes combined into one rope, with a braided core covered with a braided jacket. Double braid is a round product, has excellent shock absorbing quality. It is a strong, handsome and easy handling rope; it can be spliced and is stronger than twisted rope of the same material and diameter.
SOLID BRAID
Solid braid rope has interlocking construction, it is a uniformity round braid rope holds shape well under load and works extremely well on pulleys. Solid braid rope has average strength and abrasion, but it has a particular character which is when cut, the rope does not unravel as much as other rope construction.
BRAID
Different numbers strands with or without core can be braided into different rope structure: double braided, solid braided (both discussed separately above) diamond braid and hollow braid.
Hollow braid is the easiest splicing rope construction and is most economical one too. It is usually constructed of 8, 12, or 16 strands with a hollow center. While diamond braid is constructed with 8, 12, 16 or 32 strands, which gives it the noticeable diamond pattern appearance. Most of diamond braids are made with core of varying fiber whose purpose is adding strength or used a filler to make a larger rope diameter. Diamond braid can also be made without core yarn for easy splicing.
ABOUT ROPE: MATERIAL
NYLON
Nylon is the synthetic fiber made out of polyamide, it can last 4~5 time longer than natural fiber. Nylon is the most popular and most widely used fiber for rope due to its many attributes:
- High tensile strength
- Excellent elongation and recovery characteristic, or memory
- Energy absorption
- Impact resistance,
- UV stability, good resistance to UV
- Good resistance to oil, gasoline, grease, marine growth or most chemicals other than acid.
Common uses: mooring, towing, heavy loads and weight bearing applications, pulley systems and winches, fall protection, rescue.
ULTRA HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE (UHMW-PE)
UHMW-PE also known as UHWM, high modulus PE, or high performance PE. UHMWPE is an extremely tough material and has the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic currently exist.
- Exceptional toughness and durability
- Excellent chemical resistance
- Excellent abrasion resistance
- Low water absorption
Common uses: wear strips, water sports.
POLYPROPYLENE (ALSO KNOWN PP, MFP)
Polypropylene is synthetic fiber, a polypropylene rope is either made of from mono filament fiber with which has smooth surface, or multi filament fiber which has velvet like surface which also known as MFP.
PP rope is strong, unaffected by water and able to retain the same strength whether wet or dry, it is also light weight with buoyancy.
PP is easily affected by sunlight, it deteriorates more so than other synthetic or natural fiber; however it’s life can be extended by storing away from direct sunlight.
PP is not as strong as nylon or polyester, but PP is less expensive than other fiber which makes it the most popular all-purposes rope for average consumers.
- Absorb very little water
- Flexible and will not shrink when wet
- Retain shape well when bend and stretched.
- Highly resistant to acids, alkalis and oils
- Can be produced in any colors
Common uses: pool marker, water sports application, such as ski rope, tow rope; hollow braid rope is great for dingy lines, barriers, tie downs, floating line and lifeline.
POLYESTER
Polyester is synthetic fiber, which very close to nylon in strength when steady force is applied.
Unlike nylon, polyester does not stretch and is unable to absorb sudden shock load as well as nylon; yet just like nylon, polyester is also resistant to moisture and chemicals, but polyester is superior in abrasion and UV resistant.
- High tensile strength
- Low elasticity
- Low water absorbency with slight strength loss when wet
- High UV resistance
- High melting point
- Good abrasion resistance
Common uses: polyester is the most popular general purpose rope in boating industries, such as marine running, rigging and stringing line.
POLYETHYLENE (ALSO KNOWN AS PE)
Polyethylene floats like polypropylene but is heavier, it is not as strong as polypropylene in same size but has better abrasion resistance.
NATURAL FIBRE – SISAL/ JUTE/ COTTON
Natural fibers include cotton, sisal and Jute. Natural Fibers do not have the strength or durability of synthetic fiber ropes; natural fiber does have different characters such as cotton is the only natural fiber whose strength increases slightly when wet. While sisal ropes is strong when dry, but strength is reduced as much as 15% when wet.
Cotton
- Low stretch
- Superior knot retention
- Electro statically resistant
Common uses: sash cord, clothesline, and venetian blend cord and other general household purposes.
Sisal/ Jute
- Good resistance to sunlight
- Good knot retention
- Low energy absorption
- Good abrasion resistance
- Good resistance to most chemicals
- Not affected by volatile petroleum solvents
Common uses: gardening, bundling, shipping.