Polypropylene Rope
A lightweight fiber that is also less expensive. Polypropylene
has the great advantage of being less dense than water and
therefore floats where other ropes will sink. Not only does
polypropylene rope float but it additionally due to its
plasticity does not absorb water. Unfortunately it is not very
strong and doesn't offer much resistance to stretch. Left
outside in the sun it deteriorates quickly.
Poly-Dacron Rope
Poly-dacron sometimes called Combo-Rope is manufactured from a
combination of a polypropylene core and a Dacron (fiber similar
to Nylon) as the outer sheath. This makes for a strong and soft
rope that is easy on the hands but also holds its shape
and can take a beating as a net on an obstacle course, ropes
course or adventure race.
Nylon Rope
One of the original synthetic fibers, nylon has a combination of
good shock absorbing properties, wear resistance and
imperviousness to UV light and chemicals. Black nylon has a
higher UV rating. The slight stretch in nylon make it good for
nets where a tight tolerance is needed for the initial
installation.
Manila Rope
Made primarily in the Philippines
from the hard leaf fiber of the tropical plant Abaca, a member
of the banana plant family. Abaca is one of the strongest
natural fibers available. Manila is an excellent source for
theming but is rough on the hands if being considered for a
climbing net or ladder.
Spunflex Faux Manila
Spunflex provides the look of manila without the rough
properties of the natural fiber. Spunflex is made from Xtra
Light Fiber (XLF) or a type of spun-polypropolene. |
