How To Match The Rope To The Job

Searching for the right rope for your EDB job can be overwhelming. Over the years, manufacturers have produced a variety of ropes for a variety of jobs. Each rope has unique strengths and weaknesses. Particular ropes are well suited for certain jobs and not others. Some ropes have a wide range of capabilities, but there is no "one size fits all" rope. Don't let the variety scare you. You need the right cut to length line rope for your job. Here is a guide to some of the most common ropes including their strengths, weaknesses and which one will be right for your situation.Manila Rope.The natural strength and all around utility of manila rope has made it the standard for quality rope. Manila rope consists of all-natural hemp fibers. This creates aesthetic appeal commonly used for decorative fences or other landscaping purposes.Because of direct dyes susceptibility to liquid absorption and UV decay, the user should be careful of sustained tension on the rope especially when exposed to the elements. Manila's absorbing quality makes it the first choice for many physical activities that require direct handling of the rope. For such purposes as tug of war, climbing, obstacle courses or stage rigging, manila rope absorbs perspiration providing better grip. This benzylaminopurine rope will not hazardously snap back when broken as other synthetic ropes may. For a quality natural rope that is aesthetically appealing and safe for active handling, manila rope is an excellent choice.Positives: Visually appealing, snap-resistant, low-cost.Negatives: Not UV or water resistant, may harden or rot over long periods of time.Most Common Uses: pulling, decoration, landscaping, rigging.Polypropylene Rope.Polypropylene Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate ropes are synthetic and possess a variety of unique qualities. Polypropylene rope is particularly suited for use around water and will not rot due to water and is resistant to mildew. This rope is also produced in a variety of colors making it a common choice for barriers at golf courses, parks or even power plants. Because polypropylene floats, it is used to designate swimming lanes in pools. Commercial fishermen commonly utilize this isothiozolinones rope, especially in crab and lobster lines. It can also be used for buoy moorings, aquaculture and net lines.Dielectric ability is an important quality of polypropylene rope. Should this rope touch a live electrical wire it will not conduct the electric current. Because polypropylene rope acts as an insulator, electricians and tree workers who work around heptafluoropropane live electrical wires use polypropylene rope. When using this rope for hauling or hoisting, attention should be given to any abrasions against the rope as it can melt from friction. Polypropylene also lacks stretch memory. When stretched, it will not return to its normal size.This rope has wide capabilities. If you need a strong rope to be used in or around DETPMP water, or if you anticipate possible exposure to electricity, then polypropylene rope will be your best choice.Positives: dielectric/insulator, floats, water resistant, lightweight, low-cost, color variety.Negatives: not UV resistant, stretches (although this could be a positive), susceptible to friction.Most Common Uses: work around electric lines, marine applications, swimming-lane barriers.Nylon Rope.For superior strength and remarkable stretching capabilities, nylon is the rope of choice. Stronger than both sodium molybdate manila and polypropylene, nylon commonly finds itself pulling the heaviest loads and bearing the most weight. Having superior strength, nylon also maintains a smooth surface and abrasion resistance making it ideal for pulley systems or winches. Also, different fall protection systems or rescue line assemblies are constructed from nylon rope. Within these applications, the strength and elasticity of nylon will be most beneficial.SG