Rope Materials

It can often be confusing to choose what type of rope you need since there are so many out there and often an entire isle when you go to the store with varying thicknesses, textures and prices. Here's a little information about the most commonly used materials.

The characteristics of a rope depend a great deal on the fibers that make it up. The names of the materials may be somewhat confusing because chemical names like polyester are often used interchangeably with brand names such as Tergal, Darcron, etc.

Natural Fibers
Natural fibers have now almost completely been replace by synthetics, but the most commonly used were hemp, manilla, cotton and sisal. It is still possible to come across rope made of hemp, which up until recently was the best material available for rope because of its tensile strength and excellent resistance to wear.



You probably recognize that as the type of rope you would climb in gym class. Probably because it is very rough and therefore easier to hold onto than the smooth and slick synthetic ropes. Although it can still give you a nasty rope burn.

Synthetic Fibers
Synthetic fiber ropes are those that are made from plastics compounded from oil or coal. They are shiny, non-absorbent and do not rot but have low melting points. The can also generally be much thinner than a rope made of natural fibers and have more elasticity. In general an increase in the ropes strength is correlated to a decrease in its flexibility and abrasion resistance. The most common of the synthetic fibers are polypropylene, polyamide and polyester.

Polypropylene Fibers
Polypropylene is a type of synthetic fiber, it is popular mostly because it is the cheapest kind of synthetic fiber. Although it light weight (it even floats!), very flexible, resistant to chemical abrasion and approximately 1.8 times stronger than manila fiber rope it is also vulnerable to sunlight which degrades the fibers and makes it weaker.



Polyamide Fibers (Nylon)
Another type of synthetic rope. Important characteristics are strength and elasticity which make them capable of absorbing sock loads better than other materials. They do not rot or float and variants of this type of rope are used for mountain climbing and fishing line because of their smooth texture.



Polyester Fibers
Polyester describes a family of synthetic materials which share a similar chemical structure. The most common polyester is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) although polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and naphthalate (PEN) ropes are also available.



Polyester ropes are a good choice because of their physical properties and low elasticity. They are highly wear resistant and can be pre-stretched to reduce deformation under strain. They also have a smooth texture and low friction but do not float.

Polyethylene Fibers
This types of rope should generally be avoided. Polyethylene ropes are very cheap but not very strong and stretch and slip easily so they do not hold a knot well. However they are very resistant to atmospheric agents and float so sometimes they are used for lifelines to rowboats or rafts and as tow lines for water skiing.

 

There are many uses for rope and it depends on what your needs are to figure out which type of rope is best for the situation your using it for. Rock climbing or holding up a tarp, boating or preventing a bear from eating your food. If your in a dangerous situation such as this one which of the above ropes would you want to be hanging onto and which one would you avoid?

 

Probably an organic fiber rope like manila, since those are the types or ropes they use for rope climbing activities I assume that the must do it for a good reason. Natural fiber ropes are generally much thicker because they don't have the same strength as synthetic blends which in combination with the rough texture would make it easier to get a grip on. There is no way you're going to slip once you have a good hold on a rope like the one in the first picture I posted. The only downside I could see would be possible rope burn but in the situation you described I reckon that would be the least of your worries.

 

Well I suppose it is pretty cheap... Usually less than $10 for a 100m bag around here I usually go with Nylon rope because the texture feels nicer to me and I don't like how the polypropylene rope is stiff and prone to fraying. It is a little more expensive but generally still pretty affordable and especially if you live near a shop which sells rope by custom lengths.

 

That reminds me, I should probably add some info on the different types of braids ropes come in. Were you looking for large quantities or some special specifications? I always found Nylon rope to be a fairly inexpensive and generic product that most stores carry. Or maybe you were just browsing... I don't really need any rope "custom" so I doubt I'll be making an order with Novabraid.com anytime soon.

There are all sorts of different types or ropes out there beyond the ones I mentioned but most of them just aren't worth the hassle or extra price, I do imagine that in 50 years there will be all sorts of different ropes than there are now.

 

Oh okay, Is hollow braid your preference? And isn't most Nylon rope hollow braid? At least for small to medium thickness Nylon ropes that is what I've found. Twisted seems to be more common for much thicker ropes and for those bright yellow polypropylene ropes.

Also speaking of Paracord I have been thinking of using it to sleeve some cables because I absolutely love the look and texture of it.



@BMWPOWER I'm tagging you here

 

Cool, it sounds like we share more than 1 hobby then.

I think I might be confusing the different braid types then, what type of braid do you commonly see Nylon rope come in? And yea, I like it because it is very abrasion resistant.