Ropes are a product formed by combining fibers, twisted yarns, knitted yarns or bundles of fibers in a long and flexible structure to serve as a strength enhancing element.

In rope construction, it is not possible to make a design that includes all the variables that affect the usage properties of the rope. Therefore, the number of published test methods and standards for ropes is not very high. Costs and time losses caused by tests to determine rope performance are an important problem, especially for large ropes. For this reason, rope manufacturers generally make modeling studies to reveal rope properties before rope construction. The modeling also improves the properties of the rope.

Natural or artificial fibers are used in textile rope production. Linen, hemp and cotton are generally used as natural fibers. However, with the production of polyamide (nylon), a giant step has been taken in rope production. Then, polyester fibers were used in the production of synthetic rope.

Synthetic fibers have very important properties for rope manufacturers today, such as high strength, high tensile strength and high dry and wet wear resistance. High-performance synthetic fibers now play an important role in the production of rope.

The physical and mechanical properties of the ropes are also tested by authorized laboratories within the scope of specific tests. The standards used in these tests are as follows:

• BS EN 919 Fiber ropes for general service - Determination of some physical and mechanical properties
• TS EN ISO 2307 Fiber ropes - Determination of specific physical and mechanical properties

These standards include methods for determining the net mass, diameter and circumference, twist length, weave step, percent elongation, tensile strength and tensile strength properties of different types of ropes.