On tensor representations of knot algebras

The fact that a Yang-Baxter operator defines tensor representations of the Artin braid group has been used to construct knot invariants. The main purpose of this note is to extend the tensor representations of the Artin braid group to representations of the braid groupZ Bk associated to the Coxeter graphBk. This extension is based on some fundamental identities for the standardR-matrices of quantum Lie theory, here called four braid relations. As an application, tensor representations of knot algebras of typeB (Hecke, Temperley-Lieb, Birman-Wenzl-Murakami) are derived.