Rope are made from a group of yarn, fibers, or strands that are twisted or braided together into a larger and stronger form. The material used can either be synthetic or natural. The tensile strength of ropes determines its use macrame cotton rope wall from Ravenox. This article discusses the different types of rope.
- Polyester rope
This type of rope is made from synthetic material. It is considerably the best all round synthetic rope in the market. Some of its properties include:
- It has low stretch and is therefore ideal for where minimal or no stretch is needed such as in rescue missions in rock climbing.
- It sinks in water. In addition to this, it retains its strength even when wet making it ideal for use in marine applications.
- It is resistant to rot and ultraviolet (UV) thus ideal for use in flagpoles and as bell ropes.
- Polypropylene rope
This type of rope is made from a particularly hardy polymer known as polypropylene. It is a great general-purpose rope suitable for domestic use, business or even leisure. Some of its properties include:
- It is rot proof and thus maintains its strength and capability for a longer time. This makes it ideal for long-term storage particularly in outdoor applications or even boating.
- It floats in water which makes it easier to retrieve it from the surface of the water. It is therefore ideal for boating uses.
- It is resistant to many solvents and glues. It is also highly resistant to heat and friction thus prolonging its life when frequently knotted and untied.
- Nylon rope
This rope is known for its elasticity and ability to absorb tremendous shock loads. Its properties include:
- It is flexible and is therefore able to maintain its strength despite withstanding high levels of stress. It is therefore very suitable for anchor jobs
- It is rot and UV resistant since it is made of synthetic material.
- It sags when wet and is therefore not ideal for use in wet places.
- Natural fiber rope
This rope is made from materials such as hemp, sisal, coir and manila. Important to note is that so little of this type of rope is still being made thus making it more expensive. This type of rope is mostly used indoors for decorative purposes. Its properties include:
- It comes in natural colors which are shades of brown thus limited choice in terms of color.
- It is not as strong as synthetic rope since they have a lower breaking load compared to synthetic rope.
- Unlike synthetic rope, it is neither resistant to rot nor UV and therefore needs to be treated if used outside.
As seen, there are different types of rope available in the market. The properties also vary from one type to another which consequently determines the purposes for which they are made. It is therefore up to you as a buyer to choose the rope that best meets your needs.