There are two general ways to make a rope – twisting the fibers that make up the rope or braiding them together. Plenty of rope options are available on the market in each of these two categories, but they do not offer the same performance characteristics. With this post, we’d like to help you understand the differences between the two, so you can select the right option in any scenario.
If you would like help choosing the right rope, or if you already know what you need and are ready to order, reach out to SEACO to get started today. We have a long-standing reputation in this industry for outstanding service and quality products, so you’ll be in good hands right from the start when working with us.
What is Twisted Rope?
As the name suggests, a twisted rope is one that features a collection of twisted fibers that have been tightly wound into a rope structure. There are actually a couple of levels of twisting that have to be performed before the rope is ready to go. First, fibers of whatever material is being used for the rope – nylon, for instance – will be twisted together to develop strands. These strands are much stronger than the individual fibers, but they are not yet a rope. For that, there will typically be three strands twisted together, and the end result of that twisting creates a rope that is ready for many applications.
One of the big selling points associated with twisted rope is the lower cost of the product. Since the production process is simpler, you’ll find lower prices attached to most twisted products. Also, if you do a lot of rope splicing in your applications, twisted rope is the preferred option. While those benefits are appealing, it should be noted that twisted ropes don’t offer as much flexibility in most cases compared to braided, and it’s possible for the individual strands of the rope to come apart over time.
What is Braided Rope?
You won’t be surprised to learn that a braiding motion is used to create braided rope, although the details of the braid can vary rather dramatically from one version to the next. Among the different types of braids used to make rope include double braids, solid braids, and hollow braids. A quick look at the surface of a rope should make it easy to tell whether the product is made by braiding or twisting.
In many ways, braided rope stands in opposition to twisted rope, performing well in areas where twisted ropes aren’t ideal. There is usually excellent flexibility with braided rope, while many twisted ropes feel stiff and can be hard to maneuver. Importantly, braided rope is often quite a bit stronger than its twisted counterpart. It’s also common for people to enjoy the feel of braided rope more than twisted, although that is a matter of personal preference more than anything else.
So, braided rope is an excellent pick for many situations. But it’s not without its faults. At the top of that list, is the challenge faced when splicing. It’s a tough task to splice this kind of rope, so you want to steer clear if you know that regular splicing is on the agenda. And, when some stretch is needed, you won’t get what you need out of a braided line.
Which One Is Better?
The moral of the story in this comparison of braided and twisted rope is not that one of them is better than the other. That’s just not how it works when picking a rope. There are pros and cons that apply to each of the options. So, your job is to consider what you will use this new rope for; as thinking about the performance you need will make it obvious which one is right for the task at hand. Of course, many people will want to have both braided and twisted ropes available, so the right solution is always ready to go.
Thank you for taking the time to visit SEACO. We hope this blog on twisted and braided rope is helpful, and we welcome you to reach out directly to our team for any more information you may need.