1-336-368-5001 Fax: 1-336-368-5003 Terminology For Fiber Rope Terminology and definitions are important to assure clear communication and understanding among industry members, engineers, re-sellers and consumer/users. Here you will find the terms that are used in the Cordage Institute standards and in many cases may differ from the same terms used in other areas of the textile industry or other industries. An attempt has been made to list all terms by the key noun. Thus ‘Twill Braid’ will be found under ‘Braid, twill’. However, other terms are more easily understood if listed with an adjective first; for instance, ‘Linear Density’, will be found under ‘Linear Density’ instead of ‘Density, Linear’. If a term is defined at another location in the standard an attempt has been made to show it in bold format. Terms may be used as a noun (n.) or a verb (v.) and when multiple uses are possible the abbreviation indicates the way in which the term is used. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A ABACA FIBER: A vegetable fiber produced from the trunk of the abaca tree (muss textiles). See: Manila ABRASION RESISTANCE: The ability of a fiber or rope to withstand wear and rupture due to motion against other fibers or rope components (internal abrasion) or a contact surface which can be a portion of the rope itself (external abrasion). ABSORPTION: A process in which one material takes in or absorbs another; as the absorption of water by fibers. ADSORPTION: A contact process by which the surface area of fibers, yarns, or fabrics takes on or adsorbs an extremely thin layer of a gas, liquid, or dissolved substance. ARAMID FIBER: A manufactured, high modulus fiber of polyphenyleneterepthalamide (PPTA). back to top > B BECKER VALUE: A standard measure of the reflectance of abaca fiber, expressed as a dimensionless number, which is used to grade the fiber. The higher the Becker Value the better the uniformity, color and appearance of the fiber. (CI-1308) BLOCK CREEL: A fabrication method to produce the longest rope length on a designated rope manufacturing machine without splicing or knotting of any of its components. BRAID: n. A rope or textile structure formed by a braiding process. v. The intertwining of strands in a braiding process to produce a rope structure. BRAID, DOUBLE: A rope constructed from an inner hollow braided rope (core) surrounded by another hollow braided rope (cover). Also called Braid-on-Braid, 2 in 1 Braid. (CI-1201, 1306, 1307, 1310, 1311) BRAID, HOLLOW: A single braided rope having a hollow center. (CI-1201) BRAID PATTERN: A description of the manner in which the strands of a braided rope are intertwined. A plain (diamond) pattern is when one strand (or multiple strand) of one direction of rotation about the axis passes over one strand in the opposite direction and it in turn passes under the next strand of the opposite direction. A twill pattern is when one strand (or multiple strand) of one direction of rotation about the axis passes over two strands of the opposite direction and it in turn passes under the next two strands of the opposite direction. BRAID, SINGLE: A hollow braid consisting of multiple strands which may be braided in a plain or twill pattern. A 12-strand braid is commonly used. BRAID, SOLID: A cylindrical braid in which each strand alternately passes under and over one or more of the other strands of the rope while all strands are rotating around the axis with the same direction of rotation. On the surface, all strands appear to be parallel to the axis. (CI-1201, 1320, 1321, 1322) BRAIDER SPLICE: In a braided rope, the continuation of a single interrupted strand (or multiple strand) with another identical strand which is braided from the same carrier. The interrupted and replacement strands are arranged in parallel over some distance and are buried or tucked into the braid so as to secure them into the braid. To maintain maximum strength, the strands should overlap one another for a sufficient distance. BREAKING FORCE: Also: Breaking Load. The maximum force (or load) applied to a single specimen in a tensile test carried to rupture. It is commonly expressed in pounds- force, newtons, grams-force or kilograms-force. (See Note) BREAKING FORCE, CYCLED: The breaking force of a rope which has been cycled from initial tension to a specific peak cyclic force for specified number of cycles before the break test. (CI-1500) BREAKING FORCE, UNCYCLED: The breaking force of a rope, which has not been cycled before the break test. (CI-1500) BREAKING LENGTH: A convenient term for comparing the strength to weight ratio of textile structures from one product to another. The calculated length of a specimen whose weight is equal to the breaking load. BREAKING STRENGTH: For cordage, the nominal force (or load) that would be expected to break or rupture a single specimen in a tensile test conducted under a specified procedure. On a group of like specimens it may be expressed as an average or as a minimum based on statistical analysis. Note: Breaking force refers to an external force applied to an individual specimen to produce rupture, whereas breaking strength preferably should be restricted to the characteristic average force required to rupture several specimens of a sample. While the breaking strength is numerically equal to the breaking force for an individual specimen, the average breaking force observed for two or more specimens of a specific sample is referred to or used as the breaking strength of the sample. BREAKING STRENGTH, MINIMUM (MBS): The Cordage Institute standard. A value based on a statistically significant number of breaking load tests and the standard deviation used to establish the minimum value. (CI-1303) BREAKING STRENGTH, MINIMUM: For low stretch and static kernmantle ropes, a value three standard deviations below the mean of the maximum force applied to five or more specimens before failure when tested according to CI 1801. (CI-1801) BREAKING TENACITY: See: Tenacity Breaking back to top > C CARRIER: That part of a braiding or plaiting machine that holds the wound package of yarn, thread, cord, strand or multiple strand and carries this component when the machine is operated. COMBINATION YARN: In rope manufacturing this term is frequently used to denote a yarn composed of different materials which may vary in content. Commonly used to denote a product where polyester fiber is wrapped around a polypropylene yarn. COIL: A means of packaging rope, without the use of a reel or spool, by arranging the rope in concentric circles about a common axis to form a cylinder secured with lashings. (CI-1201) CONDITIONING: A process of allowing textile materials (staples, tow, yarns and fabrics) to reach hygroscopic equilibrium with the surrounding atmosphere. Materials may be conditioned in a standard atmosphere (65% RH, 70 degrees F) for testing purposes or in ambient conditions existing in the manufacturing or processing areas. CORD: A small laid, plaited, or braided item of cordage, usually between 5/32" and 3/8" diameter (4mm and 10mm). CORDAGE: A collective term for twines, cords and rope made from textile fibers and yarns. Generally applied to products under 3/16" (5 mm) diameter. CORE: A textile product (yarn, strand, small diameter rope etc.) placed in the center of a rope and serving as a support for the strands around it. CREEP: See: Deformation Delayed CYCLE LENGTH: The length along the axis of the rope for a strand to make one revolution around the axis of the rope. CYCLIC LOADING: Repeated loading of a rope or other structure in service or on a test machine. In cyclic loading tests repeated loading and unloading is conducted between specified minimum and maximum load or elongation limits, or can be performed randomly. Cyclic tests attempt to determine the expected behavior of a rope in use, in particular its changes in elastic response and in breaking strength after a determined number of load or stretch cycles. back to top > D DEFORMATION: For cordage, an increase in length produced as a result of the application of a tensile force. DEFORMATION DELAYED: A time dependent increase in length, while under a continuing load, which may be recoverable or non-recoverable following the removal of the load. Non-recoverable delayed deformation is referred to as creep. DEFORMATION ELASTIC: That portion of deformation, which is recovered immediately after the release of an applied force. DEFORMATION, INSTANTANEOUS: That portion of deformation that occurs instantly upon the application of a load or the deformation that occurs instantaneously on the first cycle of a cyclic load. DEFORMATION, PERMANENT: That portion of deformation, which is not recovered even after an extended time. Permanent deformation is principally due to the mechanical realignment of the rope structure. DELTA LENGTH (ΔL): The change in length, over a gage length, of a rope during application of tensile force. (CI-1500) DENSITY: The mass per unit volume. See: Linear Density DENSITY CORRELATION FACTOR: The product of the linear density of the rope and the square of the rope diameter. This factor is used to compare the relative weights of ropes of the same type when establishing the linear densities of the ropes for the rope standard. DESIGN FACTOR (DF): For cordage, a factor that is used to calculate the recommended working load by dividing the minimum breaking strength of the rope or cord by the design factor. The design factor should be selected only after a professional assessment of risk. (CI-1401) DIAMETER, ACTUAL: For life safety rope, the rope size as determined when tested according to CI 1801. (CI-1801) DIAMETER, NOMINAL: For rope and cordage other than life safety rope, the resultant rope size for a specific linear density, as determined when tested according to CI 1500. (CI-1500) DYNAMIC LOAD: For cordage. Any rapidly applied force that increases the load on the rope significantly above the normal static load or changes its properties when lifting or suspending a weight. back to top > E ELASTICITY: The property of a material by which it tends to recover its original size and shape immediately after removal of the load causing the deformation. For cordage, the measure of the ability to stretch under load and recover fully. See: Deformation, Elastic. ELASTIC DEFORMATION: See: Deformation, Elastic. ELONGATION: The ratio of the extension of a rope, under an applied load, to the length of the rope prior to the application of the load expressed as a percentage. (CI-1303) EXTENSION: The deformation (change in length) of a rope when a load is applied. EXTRACTABLE MATTER: Material on or in a fiber, which can be removed by a specific solvent as directed in a specific procedure. (CI-1303) back to top > F FIBER: A long, fine, very flexible structure that may be woven, braided, or twisted into fabric, twine, cordage or rope. (CI-1201) FIBER, MANUFACTURED: A class name for various genera of fibers (including filaments) produced from fiber forming substances, which may be: (1) polymers synthesized from chemical compounds, (2) modified or transformed natural polymers, (3) glasses and (4) carbon. FIBER, NATURAL: For rope and cordage, a class-name for various genera of vegetable fibers, such as cotton, flax, jute, ramie, sisal and manila (abaca). (CI-1201) FILAMENT, CONTINUOUS: Manufactured fibers of an indefinite length, which may be converted into filament yarn, staple or tow. (CI-1303) FILAMENT YARN: A yarn composed of continuous filaments assembled with or without twist. FILM: A fiber that is extruded in the form of a continuous, flat sheet, having a rectangular cross section, which may or may not be slit into tapes having a smaller width. FILM, FIBRILLATED: A film formed by the rupturing into fibrils having a random or symmetrical pattern, following orientation and/or embossing of the film. FINISH: An oil, emulsion, lubricant or the like, applied to fibers, to prevent damage during textile processing or to improve performance during use of the product. FINISH, MARINE OVERLAY: A finish, intended for marine usage, which when applied to a yarn will allow the yarn to meet or exceed the mean cycles to failure for a given fiber when tested according to CI 1503. FINISH, OVERLAY: An oil, emulsion, lubricant or the like applied to a yarn upon completion of textile processing to enhance the performance of the finished product. (CI- 1303) FORCE: A physical influence exerted on a fiber, yarn, or rope. See: Tension FORCE: A physical influence exerted on the test specimen, which causes it to deform. (CI-1500) FORMING: For stranded ropes, the process of twisting two or more rope yarns together prior to laying, plaiting or braiding into a rope. back to top > G GAGE LENGTH: The length between gage marks of the rope at initial tension. (CI-1500) GAGE LENGTH, CYCLED: The gage length measured after the rope has been loaded and cycled and then returned to initial tension. (CI-1500) GAGE LENGTH, UNCYCLED: The gage length measured before the first application of load to the rope. (CI-1500) GAGE MARKS: Are marks placed near the ends of a new, uncycled rope in order to perform subsequent change in length measurements. (CI-1500) back to top > H HANK: A loose winding of yarn or rope usually of a defined length. (CI-1201) HARDNESS: For laid and plaited ropes, a relative indication of splicing difficulty expressed as a penetration force determined according to test method CI 1501. (CI-1201, 1303, 1501) HEAT STABILIZED: A term used to describe a fiber or yarn that has been heat treated to reduce the tendency to shrink or elongate under load at elevated temperature. HELIX ANGLE: The angle formed by the path of the fiber, yarn or strand and the major axis of the finished product. HIGH TENACITY: Generally an industrial fiber with a tenacity greater than 6 grams/denier or one whose tenacity is significantly greater than that normally found in a particular generic class of fiber. There is no accepted standard for delineating high tenacity. See: Tenacity. HYSTERISIS: The energy expended, in the form of heat, but not recovered during a complete loading and unloading cycle. It can be measured by determining the area between the loading and unloading graphs of the stress-strain curve. HYSTERISIS CURVE: A complex stress-strain curve obtained when a specimen is successively loaded and unloaded over a specific range and both the unloading and loading performance is plotted. back to top > K KERNMANTLE: A rope design consisting of two elements: an interior core (kern) and an outer sheath (mantle). The core supports the major portion of the load; and may be of parallel strands, braided strands or braided. The sheath serves primarily to protect the core and also supports a portion of the load. There are three types: static, low stretch and dynamic. (CI-1801) KNOTABILITY: For life safety rope, a value used to determine the ability of a life safety rope to hold a knot, when tested according to CI 1801. (CI-1801) back to top > L LAID ROPES: Ropes made by twisting of three or more strands together with the twist direction opposite that of the strands. LAY LENGTH: The actual distance required to make one complete revolution around the axis in any element in a strand, cord or rope. LENGTH, IMMEDIATE: The delta length from the cycled gage length measured at a particular tension. (CI-1500) LENGTH, OVERALL: The delta length from the uncycled gage length measured at a particular gage length. (CI-1500) LENGTH, PERMANENT: The delta length from the uncycled gage length measured at initial tension after the rope has been tensioned or cycled. (CI-1500) LENGTH, UNCYCLED: The delta length from the uncycled length measured at a particular applied force during the first tension cycle. (CI-1500) LINEAR DENSITY: The mass per unit length of a fiber, yarn or rope. (CI-1201, 1303) back to top > M MANILA: Fiber obtained from the leaf stocks of the abaca plant for the production of rope and cordage. See ABACA Fiber. (CI-1201) MARKER: A means of distinguishing one rope from another or one manufacturer from another by the use of yarns, tapes or other markers in a rope, either externally, internally or both. (CI-1201) MARKER, EXTERNAL: A marker placed on the surface of a rope, in a defined pattern, running the entire length of the rope. (Also referred to as a surface yarn marker) (CI-1201, 1303) MARKER, INTERNAL: A marker placed inside a rope and running the entire length of the rope. (CI-1201, 1303) MARKER, TAPE: A continuous, printed tape placed inside a rope, for purposes of providing specific information over the entire length of rope, where the information is repeated at a defined interval. (CI-1201) MARKER, YARN: The marker yarn is normally a contrasting color of the same fiber used in the rope, however, other fibers can and are used for the marker yarn. The marker yarn may be a single filament, a group of filaments or a twisted yarn and depending on its placement may or may not be incorporated into a structural element of the rope. (CI-1201) MONOFILAMENT: A yarn consisting of one or more heavy, coarse, continuous filaments produced by the extrusion of a polymeric material suitable for fiber production. MULTIFILAMENT: A yarn consisting of many fine continuous filaments produced by the spinning of a polymeric material suitable for fiber production. MULTIPLIER: A dimensionless, numerical value used to determine the pick count of braided ropes and to overcome the complexity of listing a range of pick counts in a specification for each rope size. (CI-1201) back to top > N NOMINAL SIZE: A designation that has been determined by the measurement of another property. For rope, diameter is considered a nominal property and is based upon the measurement of the linear density of the rope in accordance with some standard. NYLON (PA): A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance (polyamide) is characterized by recurring amide groups as an integral part of the polymer chain. The two principal types of nylon fiber used in rope production are type 66 and type 6. The number six in the type designation is indicative of the number of carbon atoms contained in the reactants for the polymerization reaction. (CI-1201, 1303, 1306, 1310, 1312, 1321,1601, 2003) NYLON, INDUSTRIAL GRADE: Fibers having an average tenacity between 7.0 and 15.0 grams/denier. (CI-1303) back to top > P PICK COUNT: In a braided rope, the number of strands rotating in one direction in one cycle length divided by the cycle length. Each multiple Strand with multiple yarns should be counted as one strand. Pick count is normally expressed in picks per inch. POLYAMIDE: A linear polymer characterized by recurring amide linkages along the chain that can be readily converted into textile and industrial grade nylon fibers by spinning. (CI-1303, 1306, 1310, 1321 1601, 2003, 2009) POLYESTER (PET): A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance (polyester) is characterized by a long chain polymer having 85% by weight of an ester of a substituted aromatic carboxylic acid. The most frequently used acid is terephthalic acid in the presence of ethylene glycol. (CI-1201, 1302A, 1302B, 1304, 1305, 1307, 1311, 1322, 2003, 2009) POLYETHYLENE: An olefinic polymer produced from by the polymerization of ethylene gas, and used in the production of manufactured fiber. Polyethylene is similar to polypropylene in its properties but has a higher specific gravity and a lower melting point. (CI-2003) POLYETHYLENE, EXTENDED CHAIN (HMPE): A polyolefin fiber that is characterized by the gel spinning of a very high and narrow molecular weight distribution fiber to produce extremely high tenacity. The strength of the fiber is 10 times that of steel on a weight for weight basis. (CI-2003) POLYMER: A long chain molecule from which man-made fibers are derived; produced by linking together molecular units called monomers. POLYMERIZATION: A chemical reaction resulting in the formation of a new compound whose molecular weight is a multiple of the reactants; involving a successive addition of a large number of relatively small molecules (monomers) to form the polymer. POLYOLEFIN: A class of polymer where the long-chain molecules consists of at least 85% by weight of olefin units. Polypropylene and polyethylene are examples of this class of polymer. (CI- 1302A, 1302B, 1620, 1900, 1901, 2003) POLYPROPYLENE (PP): An olefinic polymer produced by the polymerization of propylene gas, and used in the production of manufactured fiber. Polypropylene may be extruded into a number of fiber forms for use by the rope-maker. (CI-1201, 1301A, 1302A, 1302B, 1320, 2003) POLY OR PP: An abbreviation used in the industry to denote polypropylene. (CI-1201, 1301A, 1302A, 1302B, 1320, 2003) back to top > R REEL: A spool of large capacity on which rope is wound for storage or shipment. See SPOOL. (CI-1201) ROPE, 12-STRAND BRAID: A single braided rope produced on a 12-carrier machine where the strands may be intertwined in a twill or plain pattern. (CI-1201, 1305, 1312, 1901) ROPE, COMPOSITE: A rope manufactured from two or more types of fiber. (CI-1302A, CI-1302B) ROPE, FIBER: A compact but flexible, torsionally balanced structure produced from strands which are laid, plaited or braided together to produce a product which serves to transmit a tensile force between two points. Generally greater than 3/16" diameter. (CI- 1201) ROPE, LAID: Rope made by twisting three or more strands together with a twist direction opposite to that of the strands. ROPE, LIFE SAFETY: A rope, which is mandated, supplied and/or used to support or protect a human life. (CI-1801) ROPE, LOW STRETCH: A rope with an elongation greater than 6% and less than 10% at 10% of its minimum breaking strength. (CI-1801) ROPE, PLAITED: An 8-strand rope consisting of two pairs of strands twisted to the right and two pairs of strands twisted to the left and plaited together such that the pairs of strands of opposite twist alternately overlay one another. (CI-1201, 1301, 1302B, 1303, 1304) ROPE, STATIC: A rope with a maximum elongation of 6% at 10% of its minimum breaking strength. (CI-1801) back to top > S SINGLES YARN: See: Yarn, Single SISAL: A strong, white bast fiber produced from the leaves of the Agave plant, and used chiefly for cordage and twine. (CI-1201) SIZE NUMBER: A nominal designation of rope size. It is a dimensionless number, which is determined from the density correlation factor. SPECIFIC GRAVITY: Ratio of the mass of a material to the mass of an equal volume of water. SPLICE: The joining of two ends of yarn, strand or cordage by intertwining or inserting these ends into the body of the product. An eye splice may be formed by using a similar process to join one end into the body of the product. SPLICE, EYE: An end termination in the form of a loop in a rope, cord or twine to facilitate its testing and/or use regardless of construction. (CI-1303) SPOOL: A flanged cylinder with an axial hole on which rope is wound for storage or shipment. The spool may be fabricated from wood, metal, plastic, cardboard or a combination thereof. (CI-1201) STRAIN (Ε): The ratio of Δ length to the length of rope over a particular gage length. (CI-1500) STRAIN, IMMEDIATE (IΕn%): The strain at a specified n percent of break strength expressed as a percent of the cycled gage length. (CI-1500) STRAIN, OVERALL (OΕn%): The strain at a specified n percent of break strength expressed as a percent of the uncycled gage length. (CI-1500) STRAIN, OVERALL BREAKING (OBΕ): The overall strain at breaking of a rope. (CI-1500) STRAIN, PERMANENT (PΕ): The strain at initial tension after a rope has been cycled to a specified peak cyclic force for a specified number of cycles, expressed as a percent of the uncycled gage length. (CI-1500) STRAIN, UNCYCLED (UΕn%): The strain on the first application of tension measured at a particular tension. (CI-1500) STRAND: The largest individual element used in the final rope making process and obtained by joining and twisting together several yarns or groups of yarns. STRAND INTERCHANGE: See braider splice. (CI-1201) STRAND, MULTIPLE: Two or more yarns or strands side by side without being twisted together and braided into a rope from the same carrier. STRENGTH: The ability to resist force. STRENGTH, BREAKING: See: Breaking Strength STRESS-STRAIN CURVE: A graphical representation showing the relationship between the applied force (stress) and the deformation in the direction of the applied force (strain) back to top > T TENACITY: The tensile stress expressed as the force per unit linear density of the unstrained specimen. TENACITY BREAKING: The maximum resistance of a specimen in a tensile test carried to rupture and expressed as the force with respect to the linear density of the specimen TENSILE STRAIN: The relative length deformation exhibited by a specimen subjected to a tensile force. Strain is expressed as a fraction of a nominal gauge length at a reference load. See: Extension. TENSILE STRENGTH, MINIMUM: See: Breaking Strength Minimum. A value based on a large number of breaking force tests, which is two standard deviations below the mean. TENSILE STRESS: The resistance to deformation developed within a specimen when subjected to a tensile force TENSILE TEST: A method for measuring the maximum tensile stress of a fiber, yarn, cord or rope when strained to a given point. TENSION: A force applied along the axis of a material (a fiber, yarn or rope). TENSION, INITIAL: A low tensile force applied before measuring Δ Length. Δ Length is then measured from the initial length between gage marks at this initial tension. (CI-1500). TENSION, REFERENCE: A low tension applied while measuring diameter or circumference and the length of the linear density specimen. (CI-1500) TROUGH CYCLIC FORCE: The lowest force applied during a force cycle. (CI-1500) TWIST: The number of turns about the axis applied to a fiber, yarn, strand or rope over a given length to combine the individual elements into a larger and stronger structure. The direction of rotation about the axis is denoted as “S” (left hand) or “Z” (right hand) twist. TWISTING: The process of combining two or more parallel, textile elements by controlling the lineal and rotational speeds of the material to produce a specific twist level. back to top > U ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT (UV): Sunlight or artificial light just beyond the visible end of the visible spectrum of light, which can cause damage to some synthetic and natural fibers. (CI-1201) back to top > W WORKING LOADS: Limiting load values derived from the minimum breaking strength of a cord or rope divided by the design factor. WORKING LOAD LIMIT (WLL): The working load that must not be exceeded for a particular application as established by a regulatory or standards setting agency. (CI-1303, 1401) back to top > Y YARN: A generic term for a continuous collection of textile fibers, filaments or material in a form suitable for intertwining to form a textile structure via any one of a number of textile processes. YARN, COMBINATION: A yarn composed of two or more fibers (ie. PP/PET) which may vary in form and content YARN CONSTRUCTION: A term used to indicate the number of yarns to be combined when producing a strand, cord or rope. YARN, CONTINUOUS FILAMENT: A yarn produced using filaments of indefinite length and uniform cross section. YARN, COVER: A yarn positioned on the outer surface of an individual strand or rope, which is generally twisted to give better abrasion resistance. YARN, SINGLE: The simplest textile structure available for processing into rope, twine or cordage. YARN, PLIED: A yarn formed by twisting together two or more single yarns in one operation in a direction opposite to the twist direction of the single yarns to produce a balanced structure. YARN, SPUN: A yarn consisting of fibers of regular and irregular staple length joined together by twist. back to top > The Cordage Institute. (n.d.). TERMINOLOGY FOR FIBER ROPE: Used in Standards and Guidelines. 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