Do you know your kernmantle from your double braid? This quick guide to rope terminology should help…
- Kernmantle rope
- Rope constructed with its interior core (the kern) which is made from un-woven parallel strands protected with a woven exterior sheath (mantle) that is designed to optimise strength, durability, and flexibility.
- Double Braid
- Where you have a braid within a braid which remains round when under tension. Generally the core and cover share equal loads. This rope is generally used for rigging purposes.
- Tensile strength
- The resistance of a material to a force tending to tear it apart, measured as the maximum tension the material can withstand without tearing.
- Rope Type
- According to EN 1891 semi-static ropes are classified in type A and B. Type A ropes come up to higher demands than type B.
- Static rope
- Static ropes are designed to allow relatively little stretch, which is most useful for hauling, rappelling, and other applications.
- Dynamic rope
- Dynamic rope is used to belay climbers, and is designed to stretch under heavy load to absorb the shock of a falling climber.
- Milking
- Milking generally occurs on new rope and ropes under 13mm. This is a natural occurrence when using friction hitches which can cause the stands of the outer cover of a rope to elongate over the inner core. This excess can be trimmed off the rope.
