FIBRE OR WIRE ROPE: WHICH ONE IS BEST FOR YOU?
Fibre rope vs Wire rope
If you’re in the market for new rope for your lifting, rigging or hoisting equipment but not sure whether fibre rope or wire rope will work best, let’s break it down.
Fibre rope:
If you’re in the marine industry or love the water and boating, chances are you’ll be needing fibre rope. Fibre rope is durable and is made up of vegetable fibres or nylon fibres. Fibre rope is perfect for a marine hand winch to lift your boat onto a trailer or retrieve your anchor at sea. The primary reason for fibre rope being your ‘go to’ is because wire rope will tend to rust in the water, which would be dangerous as it breaks down. Fibre rope tends to be strong enough for most marine uses and is usually your best option between the two ropes for this purpose.
Another great reason to opt for fibre is if you are using it for vehicles such as four-wheel drives or cars. Using fibre rope in a hand winch or an electric winch will avoid damage to your vehicle, and is an excellent option for staying safe. If the wire or winch malfunctions, the wire will not fling back dangerously to hurt any bystanders. There is also fibre ropes made specifically for hand and electric winches, which is also handy in knowing you’ve made the right purchase.
Wire rope:
Most opt for the wire rope when lifting, rigging and hoisting larger items. It is stronger than its counterpart the fibre rope, and safer when using it for heavy lifting equipment such as cranes and hoisting equipment.
The verdict:
To put it simply, fibre rope is strong, durable and safer when it comes to smaller machinery, marine equipment and personal use. But opt for wire rope when operating heavy lifting equipment or when rust, scratches and safety aren’t a significant risk.