About Rope and Twine - General Information Terms: • Rope: Rope is a general term applied to a length of fibers that are twisted or braided together in one of a number of patterns to provide lifting or pulling strength. Rope may be manufactured of natural or synthetic fibers to produce specific handling and strength characteristics. • Twine: Twine is a light duty type of rope. • Cord: Cord is another name for small diameter rope. Materials: • Nylon: Synthetic material offering good strength and very good abrasion resistance. Resists hydrocarbon. • Cotton: Natural fiber has low strength. Holds up well in Alkalis, poorly in hydrocarbon. • Polyester: Synthetic fiber with good strength, long life, and good resistance to acids and hydrocarbons. • Polypropylene: Synthetic fiber with moderate strength. Resists acids, alkalis, and hydrocarbons and it floats. Configurations: • Twisted: Fibers are turned and lock stitched together. Twisted twine holds knots well but tends to unravel. Moderate strength. Rotates under load. • Diamond Braid: Strands are braided over and under each other in a circular direction and may have a separate core. Lower strength. Does not rotate under load. • Solid Braid: The fibers are braided solid to the core to produce a smooth surface, which stays flexible and knots easily. Lower strength moderate flexibility and excellent abrasion resistance. Does not rotate under load. • Hollow Braid: Strands are braided over and under each other in a circular direction without a separate core. High strength and flexibility. Does not rotate under load. .