Material used for making sails and ropes (5)
I believe the answer is:
sisal
'material' is the definition.
(sisal is a kind of material)
'for making sails and ropes' is the wordplay.
'sails' can be anagrammed to 'SISAL'.
But, I am unsure how this is indicated.
'used' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sisal that I've seen before include "Fibre of Mexican agave" , "Agave yielding fibre" , "Plant fibre used for ropes" , "Hemp fibre" , "Rope-fibre made from leaves of tropical plant" .)