Braided Rope
Braided rope is one of the two general categories of rope, with the other being twisted rope. Braided ropes are generally made from nylon, polyester, or polypropylene. Three general categories of braided construction exist, including diamond braid with a core, diamond braid with a hollow braid (without a core), and solid braid.
Diamond braided rope is manufactured by weaving ends of yarn over and under in the same fashion as a maypole. When a core is present, braided rope cannot be spliced. When no core exists, the rope is referred to as a hollow braid. The greatest benefit of hollow braided rope is its ability to be spliced.
If both the rope and the core are braided, the rope is known as braid-on-braid, or double braid. This type is the strongest and most expensive of all rope. Solid braid is very firm, round, and tightly woven with a special lock-stitch construction which prevents unraveling when cut or torn. Solid braided rope stands up especially well to chafing of blocks and pulleys. However, it cannot be spliced.