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Dec 14, 2021 · Resources December 14, 2021. Rope Material Guide. This guide explains the different rope materials and our top recommendations for everyday uses. Selecting the material your rope is made from is the most important step in finding the right rope.
- Zachary Solomon
- Cotton Rope. For an affordable rope made with natural fibers, cotton is a great pick. This type of rope is comfortable to use thanks to its soft feel, and it also offers a relatively modest weight.
- Elastic Rope. Also referred to as bungee cord, elastic rope is useful specifically for its ability to stretch. When you need a rope that can absorb shock and soften the impact on anything tied to the other end, elastic rope is where you should start.
- Flax Rope. Like cotton, this is another natural fiber that works well in applications where artificial rope materials are not appropriate. This thin rope can deliver impressive strength considering its modest profile, and it is biodegradable as well.
- Jute Rope. Another natural fiber commonly used for rope, jute offers many performance benefits. With excellent flexibility, you should have no trouble tying knots with this product.
- Common Rope Features. As mentioned above, every type of rope is different. This means some ropes have features that other ropes may not have. The common features of a standard twisted rope include the following
- Rope vs. Cord. "Rope" and "cord" are often used interchangeably but they're technically different. Depending on who you ask, there's sometimes confusion surrounding what truly distinguishes the two.
- Understanding Rope Strength. When shopping for rope, you'll come across two terms that are used to describe the rope's strength: Working load and tensile strength.
- Natural. Best for: Indoor uses, decorative use, exercising, gardening, porch swings. Natural ropes are a class of ropes made from natural materials. Popular natural ropes include cotton, sisal, coir, hemp, jute, and more.
Check the Erin Rope fiber guide to learn about what fiber is best for your use. This chart gives you all the info and measurements to help you find the right rope.
impossible to make blanket recommendations as to the correct choice of rope to use. However, we have provided the tensile strength for each diameter and type of rope. These strengths are based on tests of new and unused rope, with appropriate splices. Proper choice, care and inspection of the rope are essential for reasonably safe use of the rope.
Hollow Braided Rope. hollow braid rope is a single diamond braided cord that's constructed of 8, 12, or 16 strands and it's usually made in either nylon, polypropylene, or UHMWPE. Hollow braided rope is the same as the Double Braided rope without the core. Because it does not have a core, it’s very flexible and simple to splice.
Single-ply rope tends to be more flexible and easier to work with and tends to make more compact frictions, but it’s more susceptible to wear. Double-ply rope is a little stiffer and bulkier, but also a little more durable. Braided rope not specifically made for bondage tends to have a solid core of some type (either the same or different fiber).
