Rope & Cordage

Industrial & General Purpose Rope

Rope is a versatile tool that can be used in a wide variety of applications. From industrial jobsites - where it can be used for lifting slings, safety lines, or rigging - to smaller commercial uses such as landscaping or railings, rope offers reliable performance at competitive prices.

Tensile Strength

Depending on the size, material, and construction, the strength of each rope varies. We've listed tensile strengths where applicable, but it's important to remember that tensile strength is not the same as the working load limit.

Tensile strength is the average strength of new rope when tested under controlled lab conditions. Generally, a working load limit can be anywhere from 5-20% of the tensile strength depending on the age and condition of the rope.

Types of Rope & Cordage

Rope can be divided into two general categories: natural and synthetic (man-made). Natural ropes include cotton and manila. They are generally softer, absorbent, and good for uses where the rope is handled directly - climbing, flag poles, obstacle courses, pet products, tents, hammocks, awnings, etc. It's also very visually attractive, making it a good choice for landscaping and hand rails.

Synthetic ropes include nylon, polyester, and polypropylene - all of which are stronger, more durable, and more resistant to abrasion, acids, mildew, and rot. They are also generally more cost-effective since they have a longer useful life than natural ropes, and they are lightweight yet strong - ideal for towing and rigging, safety lines, nets, and snow and water uses.

Synthetic Rope

Synthetic rope and cordage is stronger, more durable, and does not absorb a high amount of water. It can be stored wet or dry since it's resistant to rot, mildew, and most chemicals. However, it can weaken with prolonged exposure to UV rays or heat, so it should be stored out of direct sunlight when possible.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene is generally the least expensive of the synthetic choices on the market. Lightweight, strong, and economical, polypropylene rope is a great choice for jobs, hobbies, and recreational use around water as it floats on the surface and won't sink. In fact, it's often called "ski rope" or "pool rope." This buoyancy also gives it good dielectric properties, which means it won't conduct an electric current if it touches a live electrical wire, so it's a great choice to use if you're working around utility wire, trimming trees, etc. Because it does not absorb water, it has excellent resistance to mildew, rot, petroleum products, marine organisms, acids, and alkalis.

Polypropylene rope is a cost-efficient choice for many applications, but it can be uncomfortable for jobs that require constant handling due to its stiffness. It's weaker than polyester or nylon and can deteriorate more quickly; they are also susceptible to gradual elongation when under load.

Choose from California truck rope, hollow braid, or twisted polypropylene rope options.

Best for: Water & Snow Ski Rope, Pool Rope, Construction Barrier Rope, Electricity Utility Rope.

Nylon

Nylon rope - available with braided, diamond braided, or twisted construction - is an extremely strong and durable rope due to its ability to stretch - it can absorb shock loads that might break other types of rope. This makes it extremely versatile and useful in applications ranging from rodeos to safety lines.

With a smooth surface that won't twist or unravel, nylon rope generally wears very well in tough conditions and has a high resistance to abrasion. Unlike polypropylene, nylon cord rope does absorb some water - when wet it has approximately 10-15% less strength. This effect is so minor is it still widely used for water applications such as anchor and mooring lines, and it does regain the lost strength when it dries.

Even though it absorbs water, it's resistant to mold, mildew, and rot, as well as most alkalis, petroleum products, and marine growth. It's resistant to weak acids, but can be degraded by strong, concentrated ones.

Best for: Mooring Lines, Sling Rope, Net Rope, Tie Down Rope, Tow Rope, Safety Lines.

Polyester

Polyester rope has many of the same properties of nylon rope, including excellent resistance to abrasion, but it's not as stretchy. This lack of elasticity makes it ideal for situations where a stretchy rope would be dangerous.

One of most valuable properties of polyester is that it's unaffected by water, so it retains its strength even when wet. This also makes it extremely resistant to mold, mildew, rot, and organic solvents.

Although polyester is not quite as strong as nylon, it does offer superior resistance to heat and is great for outdoor use because it also has superior resistance to UV rays, so it won't yellow or weaken with extended exposure to sunlight.

Solid braid, diamond braid, and twisted construction are some of the most popular polyester rope options.

Best for: Antenna Guidelines, Tug Rope, Barge Tow Rope, Rigging Rope, Tree Rope, Safety Rope.

Plasma

Plasma rope is made from High Modulus Polyethylene that's been reinforced using a recrystallization process. It's lightweight (especially compared to wire rope), water-resistant, flexible, and strong.

It comes with either a 12 strand or 12x12 strand construction.

12 Strand is best for: Mooring Lines, Lifting Slings, RV Winch Lines, Pulling Lines, Theatrical Rigging, Inland River Barge Lines, Utility Winch Lines.

12x12 is best for: Tug Vessel Assist Lines, Mooring Lines, Offshore Working Ropes, Lashings.

Natural Rope

Natural fiber ropes are softer to the touch than synthetic ropes, but because they absorb water they are more prone to mildew, rot, and general decomposition, especially if stored away when they're wet. However, natural fibers are less affected by sunlight than synthetic fibers. Natural fibers are also not as slippery. 

Cotton

Cotton rope can be made of either 100% cotton yarn or a cotton/polyester blend. Like its namesake fabric, cotton is softer to the touch than many other ropes, so it's great for uses that require handling.

It offers very good resistance to surface abrasions, but like all natural fibers, it's susceptible to deterioration from the elements and can dramatically lose its strength over time. It is also prone to mold, rot, and mildew, especially if it's damp for long periods of time. However, it's not as susceptible to UV damage, so it's sometimes a better choice than synthetic if it will be used in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

Choose from either solid braid or twisted construction.

Best for: Tents, Hammocks, Halters, Harnesses, Awnings, Pet Toys.

Manila

Manila rope gets its name from its place of origin: the Philippines. Manufactured from the abaca plant that's native to the country, manila rope is a good general-purpose rope for uses that require durability, strength, and cost efficiency.

Also sometimes referred to as jute rope or hemp rope because it's made of all-natural hemp fibers, manila rope is absorbent with very little stretch, so it's commonly used for activities where direct handling of rope is required, such as for climbing, obstacle courses, tug of war games, etc. Manila rope is very visually appealing and offers excellent UV resistance, so it's also a popular choice for decorative landscape uses.

Manila Rope Features

• Superior knot-holding ability
• Biodegradable
• Should be stored dry to prevent rot or mildew growth
• Will shrink approximately 10-15% when it becomes wet

Best for: Tug-O-War Rope, Landscaping Rope, Rope Ladders, Rope Railings, Obstacle Course Rope.

Rope Construction

There are two basic types of rope construction: braided and twisted.

Braided Ropes

Braided rope is more durable and stronger than an equivalent size of a twisted laid rope. It also doesn't stretch as much as a twisted rope and its thicker design makes it more difficult to splice.

Some of the most common braids are a diamond braid, a solid braid, or a hollow core braid. A solid braid maintains its shape well, while a hollow core braid is more lightweight.

Rope Twisted

A rope that's twisted is recognizable by its spiral shape. It is easy to splice, but has some inherent torque, which can create a tendency to rotate and kink when under load. We carry twisted rope made from a number of different materials, including nylon, cotton, polyester, and polyethylene. We even carry twisted combination rope.

Questions?

If you have questions about which rope or cordage would work best for your needs, call our product specialists. They'll be glad to answer any questions you have, and can also help place an order for you.