Oakum vs. Tar — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 25, 2024
Oakum, a fiber made from untwisted hemp or jute rope used in shipbuilding and plumbing, is utilized for caulking or sealing joints; tar is a dark, viscous liquid obtained from coal, wood, or petroleum, used primarily for waterproofing and paving.
Difference Between Oakum and Tar
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Oakum is traditionally prepared by picking apart old ropes made of natural fibers, which are then used to caulk gaps in wooden ship planking and plumbing pipes to prevent leaks. On the other hand, tar is produced through the distillation of organic materials like coal or wood, and its waterproof and adhesive properties make it ideal for coating and sealing.
In the context of maritime and plumbing use, oakum is stuffed into the seams of wooden structures, and then sealed with a waterproofing agent like tar, showing how these materials often work in conjunction. Whereas tar serves multiple roles, including road surfacing, roofing, and as a component in shipbuilding when combined with oakum.
While oakum primarily provides physical barrier properties through its fibrous texture, tar contributes chemical properties that offer adhesion and water resistance. This makes tar a more versatile material in construction and maintenance beyond maritime applications.
The use of oakum dates back to the early naval industries where waterproofing was crucial for wooden vessel integrity. Tar, with its preservative qualities, has been used since ancient times not only for waterproofing but also in medicinal and sealing applications.
Although both materials are used to achieve watertight integrity in various structures, oakum's use is more specialized and diminishing with modern synthetic alternatives, while tar remains widely used in industrial applications such as road construction and roof sealing.
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Comparison Chart
Material Type
Fibrous material from old hemp or jute ropes.
Viscous liquid from distillation of organic matter.
Primary Use
Caulking wooden ships and pipes.
Waterproofing, paving, and sealing.
Application
Stuffed into gaps and sealed with other materials.
Applied as a coating or sealant.
Properties
Physical barrier properties.
Chemical adhesive and waterproof properties.
Historical Use
Used in naval shipbuilding and plumbing.
Used in paving, roofing, and medicinal treatments.
Compare with Definitions
Oakum
Used in plumbing.
Plumbers use oakum to seal the joints of cast iron pipes.
Tar
Combines with other materials.
Tar is used to seal oakum in wooden ship seams.
Oakum
Historically vital in shipbuilding.
Oakum was essential for maintaining the watertight integrity of wooden ships.
Tar
Waterproofing liquid.
Roads are often coated with tar for durability and water resistance.
Oakum
Fiber material for caulking.
The shipbuilder used oakum to seal the ship's wooden planks.
Tar
Produced by distillation.
Tar can be obtained from the distillation of wood or coal.
Oakum
Derived from old ropes.
Oakum is often made by recycling old hemp ropes.
Tar
Used in roofing.
Tar is applied to flat roofs to prevent leaks.
Oakum
Applied before sealing agents.
Oakum must be packed into the joint before applying tar.
Tar
Medicinal applications.
Historically, tar was used in treatments for skin conditions.
Oakum
Oakum is a preparation of tarred fibre used to seal gaps. Its main traditional applications were in shipbuilding, for caulking or packing the joints of timbers in wooden vessels and the deck planking of iron and steel ships; in plumbing, for sealing joints in cast iron pipe; and in log cabins for chinking.
Tar
Tar is a dark brown or black viscous liquid of hydrocarbons and free carbon, obtained from a wide variety of organic materials through destructive distillation. Tar can be produced from coal, wood, petroleum, or peat.Mineral products resembling tar can be produced from fossil hydrocarbons, such as petroleum.
Oakum
Loose hemp or jute fiber, sometimes treated with tar, creosote, or asphalt, used chiefly for caulking seams in wooden ships and packing pipe joints.
Tar
A dark, thick flammable liquid distilled from wood or coal, consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons, resins, alcohols, and other compounds. It is used in road-making and for coating and preserving timber.
Oakum
A material, consisting of tarred fibres, used to caulk or pack joints in plumbing, masonry, and wooden shipbuilding.
Tar
A sailor.
Oakum
The coarse portion separated from flax or hemp in hackling.
Tar
Cover (something) with tar
A newly tarred road
Oakum
The material obtained by untwisting and picking into loose fiber old hemp ropes; - used for calking the seams of ships, stopping leaks, etc.
Tar
A dark, oily, viscous material, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons, produced by the destructive distillation of organic substances such as wood, coal, or peat.
Oakum
The coarse portion separated from flax or hemp in nackling.
Tar
See coal tar.
Oakum
Loose hemp or jute fiber obtained by unravelling old ropes; when impregnated with tar it was used to caulk seams and pack joints in wooden ships
Tar
A solid residue of tobacco smoke containing byproducts of combustion.
Tar
A sailor.
Tar
To coat with or as if with tar.
Tar
A black, oily, sticky, viscous substance, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons derived from organic materials such as wood, peat, or coal.
Tar
Coal tar.
Tar
(uncountable) A solid residual byproduct of tobacco smoke.
Tar
A sailor, because of the traditional tarpaulin clothes.
Jack Tar
Tar
(uncountable) Black tar, a form of heroin.
Tar
(computing) A program for archiving files, common on Unix systems.
Tar
(computing) A file produced by such a program.
Tar
A Persian long-necked, waisted string instrument, shared by many cultures and countries in the Middle East and the Caucasus.
Tar
A single-headed round frame drum originating in North Africa and the Middle East.
Tar
(transitive) To coat with tar.
Tar
(transitive) To besmirch.
The allegations tarred his name, even though he was found innocent.
Tar
To create a tar archive.
Tar
A sailor; a seaman.
Tar
A thick, black, viscous liquid obtained by the distillation of wood, coal, etc., and having a varied composition according to the temperature and material employed in obtaining it.
Tar
To smear with tar, or as with tar; as, to tar ropes; to tar cloth.
Tar
Any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
Tar
A man who serves as a sailor
Tar
Coat with tar;
Tar the roof
Tar the roads
Common Curiosities
How is oakum prepared for use?
Oakum is prepared by unraveling old ropes into fibers, which are then used to fill seams or joints.
Where is tar still used today aside from road construction?
Beyond roads, tar is used in roofing, some protective coatings, and historically in medicinal remedies.
Can oakum be used alone for waterproofing?
Oakum is used for caulking but needs to be sealed with a waterproofing agent like tar to be fully effective against water ingress.
Why has the use of oakum declined in modern times?
The decline is due to the availability of more effective and easier-to-use synthetic materials.
How long do tar-covered surfaces last?
Tar-covered surfaces can last many years but require maintenance, especially in harsh weather conditions.
Is there a historical significance to oakum in naval history?
Yes, oakum was crucial in historical naval shipbuilding for maintaining the seaworthiness of wooden ships.
What safety precautions are necessary when working with tar?
Proper ventilation, protective clothing, and eye protection are necessary due to tar's toxic fumes and sticky nature.
How is oakum different from other fibrous sealants?
Oakum is unique in that it is made from natural fibers and is specifically used in conjunction with other sealing agents for effectiveness.
What are the environmental impacts of using tar?
Tar, particularly coal tar, can have significant environmental and health impacts due to its toxic components.
What are modern alternatives to using oakum and tar in construction?
Modern alternatives include synthetic sealants and caulking materials that provide improved durability and less environmental impact.
What are the health risks associated with tar?
Exposure to tar can lead to respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other health problems.
What makes tar effective as a waterproofing material?
Tar's effectiveness comes from its adhesive properties and its ability to form a dense, impermeable barrier.
Can tar be used in any environmental conditions?
While tar is robust, extreme cold can make it brittle and less effective, and extreme heat can make it too fluid.
Can oakum be reused or recycled?
Oakum is often made from recycled rope materials, but once used in construction, it is not typically reused.
What are the cost implications of using tar and oakum?
While both materials are cost-effective for their respective uses, modern alternatives may offer long-term savings due to reduced maintenance.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
