GLOSSARY OF ROPE TERMINOLOGY

Dyneema®
One of the trade names for UHMWPE fiber.

Easing Out Line
A length of line that is secured at one end, with a bight thrown over the hook on a hose and run back to a cleat, allowing the hose to be gently retrieved. Used during high line operations.

Eight Strand
A plaited (or braided) construction of eight strands; usually found in large sizes for mooring, shipping and towing uses. Exhibits no torque in heavy towing. Made of various fibers.

Edge Protector
A device used to protect a rope against abrasion and cutting where the rope is in contact with edges or rough surfaces.

Elastic Recovery
The degree that a fiber, yarn, or cord will return to its original size and shape after deformation from stress.

Elongation
The deformation in the direction of load caused by a tensile force. Elongation is measured in units of length (e.g. millimeters, inches) or calculated as a percentage of the original specimen length. Elongation may be measured at any specified load or at the breaking load.

Elongation at Break
The total elongation at the breaking load of the rope.

End
An end is simply one of the twisted yarns that make up the strand. Use either 1, 2, 3, or more ends to make a strand in a covered braid. There can be more ends in a core braid.

Energy Absorption
The amount of energy needed to stretch a rope a certain distance. High elongation products absorbs more energy than low elongation products.

Energy to Break
The total energy required to break a rope.

Escape Line
A 7.5-9.5mm rope which has been designed for emergency escape from a threatening situation. These ropes have a minimum breaking strength of 13.5kN (3034lbf), and therefore safety margins are greatly reduced and the utmost care must be taken when using these ropes. They are also referred to as bail-out.

Extrude
To push a melted resin through small tube shaped dies, thus forming a single fiber, as in monofilament or multifilament polypropylene. Split film polypropylene is extruded into sheets of plastic and split into ribbon-like fibers that are twisted into rope, rope or personal escape ropes.

Extrusion
For polymer filaments. The process of producing filaments by forcing a polymer through a die.

Eye
A temporary or permanent loop in a line.

Eye Splice
A fixed loop formed into the end of a length of rope by splicing the end back into itself. The splice may or may not be formed around a plastic or metal thimble.

Factor or Safety
The ratio of the breaking strength of a new rope to the load applied.

Fall
The standing part of the rope coming from the fixed block on a block and tackle, on which strain is applied.

Fall Arrest System
A safety system designed to stop an individual's fall.

Fall Factor
The severity of the fall expressed as a ratio, and calculated by dividing the total fall distance by the length of rope used to arrest the fall.

Fast
To secure or tighten a line around a cleat. A term commonly used, to make fast.

Fatigue
The tendency of a material to weaken or fail during repeated tension or compression cycles. For ropes, degradation is often caused by internal abrasion which cannot be detected by the user. It is normally accelerated as the load increases as a percentage or its rated strength

Fathom
A unit of measurement. One fathom is approximately six feet.

Fiber
A natural or synthetic filament capable of being spun into yarn.

Fibrillated
An extruded filament used in making rope. When a single filament is laid out, it resembles a net of loosely bonded fibers.

Fid
A tapering pin used to open the strands of a rope prior to splicing. It is sometimes hollow.

Fid Length
A fid length equals 21 times the diameter of the rope or 7 times the circumference.

Figure 8
A device shaped like the number 8 which is used for descending on a rope using friction.

Filament
A fine or thinly spun thread; a fiber.

Flake
The laying down of a rope coil or circular fashion where each loop is called a flake.

Flat Braid
A braided cord construction which is flat and has no core or hollow center

Flemish
Method of disposing a line by coiling it tightly flat on deck with the second inside the first, and so on.