The structure of a rope determines its utility and the special features of its performance. Ropes are often processed differently in factories to upgrade some of their functions. To give them some desired strengths, they are often twisted, braided, or plaited.
A rope is called a braided rope when it is made up of three or more strands braided into one. Some of the modern braided ropes consist of a tube-shaped braided jacket over the initial fiber-strands, which may or may not be braided too.
How does braiding help?
Braided ropes are very strong, usually stronger than simple non-braided ropes. When the rope is braided with multiple strands, it helps to distribute the tension evenly among the strands, such that it does not break while lifting or hanging huge loads on it. Hence, braided ropes have high tensile strength.
This tensile strength is increased further because braiding enables the rope to eliminate additional twisting force when stress is applied to them. This is especially advantageous when a heavy load is suspended with the rope without any other external support. Some examples can be seen during adventurous sports such as rappelling, climbing, etc.
What are braided ropes made up of?
Usually, at Power Ropes by V K Plastics, braided ropes are made using nylon, polypropylene, polyester, etc. Sometimes, high-performance fibers such as HMPE (i.e. high modulus polyethylene) or aramid are used to make it extra stronger, as per the requirement.
Nylon Braided Ropes by Power Ropes — Nylon braided ropes are strong, but it is a known fact that nylon absorbs water. And when this happens, its strength reduces by 15-20%; hence, it becomes susceptible to breakage.
Polyester Braided Ropes by Power Ropes — Polyester ropes are waterproof. They do not absorb water like nylon ropes. However, polyester ropes do not stretch as much as nylon ropes, which makes them susceptible to jerk breakage. Apart from that, polyester ropes are highly resistant to UV Radiation and weather changes.
Polypropylene Braided Ropes by Power Ropes — Polypropylene ropes are bought largely because it is cheaper than the other alternatives of braided ropes. Polypropylene is also very lightweight, and hence it tends to float on water. However, polypropylene braided ropes are not much resistant to friction, heat as well as UV Radiation.
What are different categories of braided ropes?
Power Ropes offer three types of resistant braided ropes, each with their own unique qualities:
Single Braided Power Ropes — these are made using eight or twelve strands braided together, the strands always being even in number. While braiding, half of the strands are braided in the clockwise direction and the other half are braided in the anti-clockwise direction. These ropes are also known as hollow ropes since the dual braiding often leaves a void in the center.
Double Braided Power Ropes — these are made by coupling two single braided ropes. The central void inside the braid is filled by another braided rope. Hence, it is also known as braid on braid rope. Since the second braid is naturally coating the inner braid, the material of outer braid is often chosen to be resistant and abrasion-proof, while the material of inner braid is chosen keeping in mind the strength it provides.
Solid Braided Power Ropes — these are made by braiding together strands of the same material all together in the same direction, either clockwise or anticlockwise, which are alternated for forming inner and outer rope respectively while braiding. These ropes are often preferred for a daily activity used since they are usually cheap and abrasion-resistant to some extent, however, they are relatively less strong than the other alternatives of braided ropes and are therefore not preferred for industrial or high-performance use.
Power Ropes (a unit of VK Plastics) offers premium quality braided ropes at affordable prices, with excellent resistance and high-performance capability.
To place your order, call us now.