GLOSSARY OF TERMS
TIMM Slovakia s.r.o.
Valid from: 1st June 2026
Abrasion Resistance
The ability of a fibre or rope to resist wear caused by friction—whether from internal contact between fibres or external contact with other surfaces.
Anchoring Line
A rope, or a combination of rope with chain and/or steel cable, used to secure a vessel in place in harbours, bays, or open waters.
Braided Rope / Cover
A rope constructed by braiding multiple strands into a core, then enclosing it with an outer braided sheath for added durability and protection.
Breaking Strength
The maximum tensile force a rope or cordage product can withstand before it fails or breaks.
Cyclic Loading
A loading condition where force is applied repeatedly in a consistent cycle, typically with fixed upper and lower limits and a regular interval.
Elongation / Extension
The amount a rope or fibre stretches under tensile force, expressed as an increase in length.
Fibre Types
- PP – Polypropylene
- PES – Polyester
- UHMWPE – Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene
- PE – Polyethylene
- PA – Polyamide
Filament
A long, continuous textile fibre, as opposed to short staple fibres.
Floating Rope
A rope designed to float, with a specific gravity below 1.0 (freshwater) or 1.04 (seawater).
Kink
A loop or twist formed when excess rotation becomes concentrated in a specific section of the rope.
Lay Length
The distance required for a strand (or rope strand) to complete one full twist along its axis.
Linear Density / Linear Mass
The weight of a rope or fibre per unit length, typically expressed in tex.
Measured Diameter
The diameter of a rope determined under a specified tension, measured across the circumscribed circle of its cross-section.
Messenger Rope
A lightweight rope used to pull or guide a heavier rope into position, commonly between ship and shore.
Minimum Breaking Load (MBL)
The minimum force required to break a rope under tension, also known as Minimum Breaking Force (MBF).
Nominal Diameter
The standard reference diameter used for identifying and specifying a rope product.
Plaited Rope / Core
A rope formed by interweaving strands (braiding), rather than twisting them, to create a flexible, stable structure.
Realisation Factor
A coefficient used to estimate rope breaking strength when direct testing isn’t possible, based on yarn strength, construction, and material.
Ringtail / Grommet
An endless rope sling formed by:
- Short splicing rope ends together
- Creating a continuous grommet
- Long splicing rope ends
- Joining ends with a compressed metal sleeve
Rope
A cordage product made from three or more strands arranged by twisting, braiding, or parallel alignment, typically over 4 mm in diameter.
Seizing
The process of tightly wrapping a smaller line around a rope in close, spiral turns to secure or reinforce it.
Single Sling
A rope length formed into a lifting sling, featuring a spliced eye at each end.
Splicing
A method of joining ropes—or creating loops—by interweaving strands, ensuring a secure connection while retaining most of the rope’s original strength.
Strand
A component of rope made by twisting together two or more yarns.
Tensile Stress
The force applied to stretch a material, calculated as force divided by the original cross-sectional area.
Tex System
A standard unit for measuring linear mass in textiles.
1 tex = 1 gram per kilometre.
Thimble
A rigid insert placed inside a rope eye to protect it from wear and deformation.
Thimbled Eye
A rope eye splice reinforced with a thimble for added durability.
Tuck (Process)
In splicing, the action of threading a strand alternately over and under adjacent strands.
Twist – “S” Twist
A left-hand twist where fibres follow the direction of the central stroke of the letter “S” when held vertically.
Twist – “Z” Twist
A right-hand twist where fibres align with the central stroke of the letter “Z” when held vertically.
Twisted (Laid) Rope
A rope constructed by twisting three or more strands around a central axis.
Working Load Limit (WLL)
The maximum load that a rope or sling is safely rated to handle during normal use.
Yarn
A basic textile unit made by twisting fibres or filaments together to form a continuous strand.