Rope constructions

3-Strand

3-strand ropes are made by gathering fibers to form three twisted strands and twisting these strands into a rope. Most twisted ropes are made of Polyester, Polyamide, and Polypropylene. This type of rope is widely used, especially because it is inexpensive, but also because of its high elasticity, good abrasion resistance, and great ease of splicing. However, one of its downsides is that these ropes offer less breaking load than braided ropes with the same diameter.

 

Single braid

Single braids or so-called "single braided ropes" consist of an even number of strands braided according to a circular pattern, half of them clockwise, the other half counter-clockwise. In most cases, these ropes consist of high-strength fibers such as UHMWPE. They are very light and very easy to splice.

 

Double braid

Double braided ropes consist of an inner hollow braid as their core. An outer hollow braid is braided around that core and forms the cover.  The result is a rope within a rope, which makes it possible to distribute loads evenly or unevenly between the core and the cover. Often, the cover serves the purpose of protecting the more sensitive, however load-bearing core from environmental influences. This type of rope is generally very flexible, strong, comfortable to handle, and easy to splice.

 

8 Plait

The 8-plait rope was developed to compensate for the negative characteristics of 3-strand ropes, i.e., twisting and hardening.  It boasts excellent shock absorption characteristics with 40% stretch and abrasion resistance. Ropes of this type are perfectly suitable to be stowed without reels or coils, without twisting or kinking.