There are so many different options when it comes to choosing the right type of rope for your needs. Whether you are wanting a rope that is sturdy enough for climbing, or have some knot-tying requirements, which type of rope should you choose?
Some rope materials, such as nylon, for instance, offer strength and versatility to cope with all sorts of different applications. You can Click Here for the Best Nylon Cords if that is what you are after.
Meanwhile, here is a look at the main types of rope and what you are most likely to use each one for.
Nylon offers lots of options
As already outlined, nylon is very strong and that means you can have a rope made from this material that delivers superior strength. It also offers great wear resistance and copes well with the threat of UV and rot.
Typical applications for nylon rope would be for towing or anchor lines. It also works well when you need strong pulley ropes.
You do have to be mindful that nylon can potentially degrade when subjected to very high temperatures. However, nylon is very strong and flexible in all sorts of situations.
Polyester delivers great stretch resistance
One of the main attributes associated with using polyester as a rope material is its stretch resistance.
Polyester rope also offers good resistance to the threat of abrasion and is considered one of the best materials for UV resistance. In addition, polyester rope maintains its strength when wet. This makes it useful for sailing applications such as rigging.
You should remember that one weakness of polyester rope is that it doesn’t float.
Polypropylene will cope with a wet climate
Another suitable rope material for certain marine applications is polypropylene. It stands up well to a wet climate and is a lightweight material that floats in water and repels most chemicals, mold, and mildew.
It can often be an economical rope solution but you need to remember that it can deteriorate when exposed to UV rays. It is not very stretchy either.
Manila delivers industrial strength qualities
If you want a synthetic rope that closely resembles an old-fashioned traditional rope, it would be manila. You will often find this type used for pulling or landscaping tasks.
It has an aesthetic appeal along with industrial strength qualities. You should not consider using manila rope for marine applications as it has a tendency to shrink when wet.
Kevlar is the toughest rope of all
If strength is a top priority you should consider Kevlar. This material is considered to be the strongest of all the main types of rope available. It will also cope with very high temperatures.
Basically, kevlar is the rope-world equivalent of steel.
A couple of downsides to consider about kevlar. Although it has excellent tensile strength it doesn’t offer the same protection when it comes to compression strength.
It also doesn’t have great UV resistance. One solution to that problem is to cover kevlar rope with a polyester cover.
Whatever your requirements, there is a rope material that will be perfect for your specific needs.
Which rope do you need for the job you have in mind?
