Nylon VS Polyester Rope, What are the Differences?

Polyester and nylon ropes are two of the most popular ropes used today. Both have significant advantages over natural fiber ropes and both have a wide range of applications. But they are not the same. As a braided rope supplier, I'd like to tell you the differences between them.

What is the Nylon Rope?

Nylon Rope

Nylon rope is the strongest of all commonly used ropes. It is used to absorb shock loads, for example when lifting or hauling, because it has the ability to return to its original length after stretching. It also has good abrasion resistance and lasts several times longer than natural fibers. It is also resistant to oils and most chemicals. Nylon has good resistance to UV degradation from the sun. Nylon is well suited for use as bow to stern towlines, surge ropes, climbing ropes, safety ropes, lasso ropes, boat drops, drop hammer ropes, target towlines, fishing ropes and industrial slings.

Advantages of Nylon Rope

*Very strong

*high tensile strength

*Superior shock absorbency

*Abrasion resistant

*Mildew resistant

*Excellent wet/dry strength retention

*Stable structure

*High chemical resistance

What is the Polyester Rope?

Polyester Material Rope

Polyester is one of the most popular ropes in the boating industry. Polyester rope is very close to nylon in strength when a steady force is applied.  However, polyester stretches very little and therefore cannot absorb shock loads as well. It is also as resistant to moisture and chemicals as nylon, but is superior in its resistance to abrasion and sunlight.  

Polyester rope is suitable for mooring, rigging and industrial plant use; it is used as fishnets and bolt ropes, rope slings and alongside towing cables.

Advantages of Polyester Rope

*Strong

*Flexible and soft to handle

*No strength loss when wet

*High melting point

*UV resistant

*Excellent abrasion resistance

*Non conductive to electricity

*Good resistance to acids at room temperature.

*Excellent resistance to petroleum based products, bleaches and solvents.

*Easy to splice with soft eyes, Nylon, Stainless Steel or Galvanized thimbles.

Differences Between the Nylon Rope and Polyester Rope

Tactile

This is an aspect that you can feel as soon as you touch it. Polyester ropes are rougher than nylon ropes.

Structure

Internal threads in polyester ropes tend to unknit spontaneously. Nylon ropes are more practical, and once the rope is cut off, threads wont unknit. Even if they are burned, they will form a neat and strong connection.

Elasticity

Nylon has a high level of elasticity. This makes it particularly good when you need the rope to be more shock absorbent, such as towing or mooring. By contrast, the elasticity of polyester fiber under pressure is only half that of nylon, so it’s particularly suitable for low-stress uses such as flagpoles, tie-downs etc.

Strength

The two are the strongest of all commonly available fibers. But the nylon rope is marginally stronger than polyester under steady pressure. Nylon's small advantage over polyester expands significantly, however, when the stress is not steady, but applied in pulses. For shock jobs, nylon is significantly stronger.

Moisture

Polypropylene rope can float in water. Nylon rope absorbs water, while polyester rope does not. So polyester rope can be used for boats and pools without becoming waterlogged, while nylon takes a long time to dry out. And  it will be heavier and unwieldy after waterlogged.

Temperature

Nylon is not suitable for extremely high temperatures. Nylon rope will begin to degrade at 250℉. (Polyester, on the other hand, can’t withstand the heat up to 275℉.)