wire rope designation price

While some use these two terms interchangeably, technically wire rope refers to a diameter greater than 3/8”. Cable rope - also called aircraft cable - applies to all smaller variations.

Consequently, aircraft cable is only used for lighter-duty purposes, such as winch lines, fences, and railings, while wire rope can be using for lifting, towing, hoisting, etc. Both are ideal for outdoor environments because the strength and length remain constant regardless of whether they are wet or dry.

If you are looking for an option specifically designed for lifting, check out our wire rope slings. They come in a number of configurations - choices include leg count, end hardware, and more.

Generally composed of wires, strands, and a core shaped in a spiral pattern, wire rope is incredibly durable. Steel wires are aligned in a precise helix geometric pattern to form a strand in a process known as "stranding." A "closing" comes next, where the strands are laid around the core to form a wire rope.

The greater the diameter, the greater the break strength. Our selection of 1/8" stainless steel cable has a break strength of less than 2,000 lbs., while our 2-1/2" wire rope has a break strength of more than 600,000 lbs.!

Right hand and left hand designations indicate which way the strands wrap around the core of the steel rope, while regular lay and Lang lay designations specify which way the wires that make up the strand are formed in the helix pattern.

Regular lay means the wires are rotated opposite the direction of the strands around the core. Lang lay means the wires are twisted in the same direction as the strands wrapped around the wire rope core.

Our wire rope lay is right hand regular lay, with strands wrapped around the core to the right, and the wires making up the strand turned and rotated to the left.

Independent wire rope cores (IWRC) are made from steel, offer more support to the outer strands, and have a higher resistance to crushing. IWRC also offer more resistance to heat and increase the strength of the rope.

This refers to how many strands make up the rope and how many wires make up one strand. For instance, a 6x26 wire rope has 6 strands around a core with 26 wires making up each strand.

All wires consist of layer(s) arranged in a specific pattern around a center. Pattern designation is affected by the size of the wires, the number of layers, and the wires per layer. Wires can utilize either a single pattern style or a combination of them, known as a combined pattern:

Warrington - Two layers of wires. The outer layer has two diameters of wire (alternating between large and small), while the inner layer has one diameter.

Although wire rope is extremely strong, it can become damaged with improper use, making it unsafe to use. It"s important to have regular inspections for breaks, corrosion, overuse wear, and kinks.

Our rigging supplies category includes hardware and accessories for cranes, dredging, excavating, hoists & winches, logging, and marine uses. If you"re unsure what you need or have questions, call for help from our product specialists with expertise in wire rope/cable rigging supplies.

Wire rope and cable are each considered a “machine”. The configuration and method of manufacture combined with the proper selection of material when designed for a specific purpose enables a wire rope or cable to transmit forces, motion and energy in some predetermined manner and to some desired end.

Two or more wires concentrically laid around a center wire is called a strand. It may consist of one or more layers. Typically, the number of wires in a strand is 7, 19 or 37. A group of strands laid around a core would be called a cable or wire rope. In terms of product designation, 7 strands with 19 wires in each strand would be a 7×19 cable: 7 strands with 7 wires in each strand would be a 7×7 cable.

Materials Different applications for wire rope present varying demands for strength, abrasion and corrosion resistance. In order to meet these requirements, wire rope is produced in a number of different materials.

Stainless Steel This is used where corrosion is a prime factor and the cost increase warrants its use. The 18% chromium, 8% nickel alloy known as type 302 is the most common grade accepted due to both corrosion resistance and high strength. Other types frequently used in wire rope are 304, 305, 316 and 321, each having its specific advantage over the other. Type 305 is used where non-magnetic properties are required, however, there is a slight loss of strength.

Galvanized Carbon Steel This is used where strength is a prime factor and corrosion resistance is not great enough to require the use of stainless steel. The lower cost is usually a consideration in the selection of galvanized carbon steel. Wires used in these wire ropes are individually coated with a layer of zinc which offers a good measure of protection from corrosive elements.

Cable Construction The greater the number of wires in a strand or cable of a given diameter, the more flexibility it has. A 1×7 or a 1×19 strand, having 7 and 19 wires respectively, is used principally as a fixed member, as a straight linkage, or where flexing is minimal.

Selecting Wire Rope When selecting a wire rope to give the best service, there are four requirements which should be given consideration. A proper choice is made by correctly estimating the relative importance of these requirements and selecting a rope which has the qualities best suited to withstand the effects of continued use. The rope should possess:Strength sufficient to take care of the maximum load that may be applied, with a proper safety factor.

Strength Wire rope in service is subjected to several kinds of stresses. The stresses most frequently encountered are direct tension, stress due to acceleration, stress due to sudden or shock loads, stress due to bending, and stress resulting from several forces acting at one time. For the most part, these stresses can be converted into terms of simple tension, and a rope of approximately the correct strength can be chosen. As the strength of a wire rope is determined by its, size, grade and construction, these three factors should be considered.

Safety Factors The safety factor is the ratio of the strength of the rope to the working load. A wire rope with a strength of 10,000 pounds and a total working load of 2,000 pounds would be operating with a safety factor of five.

It is not possible to set safety factors for the various types of wire rope using equipment, as this factor can vary with conditions on individual units of equipment.

The proper safety factor depends not only on the loads applied, but also on the speed of operation, shock load applied, the type of fittings used for securing the rope ends, the acceleration and deceleration, the length of rope, the number, size and location of sheaves and drums, the factors causing abrasion and corrosion and the facilities for inspection.

Fatigue Fatigue failure of the wires in a wire rope is the result of the propagation of small cracks under repeated applications of bending loads. It occurs when ropes operate over comparatively small sheaves or drums. The repeated bending of the individual wires, as the rope bends when passing over the sheaves or drums, and the straightening of the individual wires, as the rope leaves the sheaves or drums, causing fatigue. The effect of fatigue on wires is illustrated by bending a wire repeatedly back and forth until it breaks.

The best means of preventing early fatigue of wire ropes is to use sheaves and drums of adequate size. To increase the resistance to fatigue, a rope of more flexible construction should be used, as increased flexibility is secured through the use of smaller wires.

Abrasive Wear The ability of a wire rope to withstand abrasion is determined by the size, the carbon and manganese content, the heat treatment of the outer wires and the construction of the rope. The larger outer wires of the less flexible constructions are better able to withstand abrasion than the finer outer wires of the more flexible ropes. The higher carbon and manganese content and the heat treatment used in producing wire for the stronger ropes, make the higher grade ropes better able to withstand abrasive wear than the lower grade ropes.

Effects of Bending All wire ropes, except stationary ropes used as guys or supports, are subjected to bending around sheaves or drums. The service obtained from wire ropes is, to a large extent, dependent upon the proper choice and location of the sheaves and drums about which it operates.

A wire rope may be considered a machine in which the individual elements (wires and strands) slide upon each other when the rope is bent. Therefore, as a prerequisite to the satisfactory operation of wire rope over sheaves and drums, the rope must be properly lubricated.

Loss of strength due to bending is caused by the inability of the individual strands and wires to adjust themselves to their changed position when the rope is bent. Tests made by the National Institute of Standards and Technology show that the rope strength decreases in a marked degree as the sheave diameter grows smaller with respect to the diameter of the rope. The loss of strength due to bending wire ropes over the sheaves found in common use will not exceed 6% and will usually be about 4%.

The bending of a wire rope is accompanied by readjustment in the positions of the strands and wires and results in actual bending of the wires. Repetitive flexing of the wires develops bending loads which, even though well within the elastic limit of the wires, set up points of stress concentration.

The fatigue effect of bending appears in the form of small cracks in the wires at these over-stressed foci. These cracks propagate under repeated stress cycles, until the remaining sound metal is inadequate to withstand the bending load. This results in broken wires showing no apparent contraction of cross section.

Experience has established the fact that from the service view-point, a very definite relationship exists between the size of the individual outer wires of a wire rope and the size of the sheave or drum about which it operates. Sheaves and drums smaller than 200 times the diameter of the outer wires will cause permanent set in a heavily loaded rope. Good practice requires the use of sheaves and drums with diameters 800 times the diameter of the outer wires in the rope for heavily loaded fast-moving ropes.

It is impossible to give a definite minimum size of sheave or drum about which a wire rope will operate with satisfactory results, because of the other factors affecting the useful life of the rope. If the loads are light or the speed slow, smaller sheaves and drums can be used without causing early fatigue of the wires than if the loads are heavy or the speed is fast. Reverse bends, where a rope is bent in one direction and then in the opposite direction, cause excessive fatigue and should be avoided whenever possible. When a reverse bend is necessary larger sheaves are required than would be the case if the rope were bent in one direction only.

Stretch of Wire Rope The stretch of a wire rope under load is the result of two components: the structural stretch and the elastic stretch. Structural stretch of wire rope is caused by the lengthening of the rope lay, compression of the core and adjustment of the wires and strands to the load placed upon the wire rope. The elastic stretch is caused by elongation of the wires.

The structural stretch varies with the size of core, the lengths of lays and the construction of the rope. This stretch also varies with the loads imposed and the amount of bending to which the rope is subjected. For estimating this stretch the value of one-half percent, or .005 times the length of the rope under load, gives an approximate figure. If loads are light, one-quarter percent or .0025 times the rope length may be used. With heavy loads, this stretch may approach one percent, or .01 times the rope length.

The elastic stretch of a wire rope is directly proportional to the load and the length of rope under load, and inversely proportional to the metallic area and modulus of elasticity. This applies only to loads that do not exceed the elastic limit of a wire rope. The elastic limit of stainless steel wire rope is approximately 60% of its breaking strength and for galvanized ropes it is approximately 50%.

Preformed Wire Ropes Preformed ropes differ from the standard, or non-preformed ropes, in that the individual wires in the strands and the strands in the rope are preformed, or pre-shaped to their proper shape before they are assembled in the finished rope.

This, in turn, results in preformed wire ropes having the following characteristics:They can be cut without the seizings necessary to retain the rope structure of non-preformed ropes.

They are substantially free from liveliness and twisting tendencies. This makes installation and handling easier, and lessens the likelihood of damage to the rope from kinking or fouling. Preforming permits the more general use of Lang lay and wire core constructions.

Removal of internal stresses increase resistance to fatigue from bending. This results in increased service where ability to withstand bending is the important requirement. It also permits the use of ropes with larger outer wires, when increased wear resistance is desired.

Outer wires will wear thinner before breaking, and broken wire ends will not protrude from the rope to injure worker’s hands, to nick and distort adjacent wires, or to wear sheaves and drums. Because of the fact that broken wire ends do not porcupine, they are not as noticeable as they are in non-preformed ropes. This necessitates the use of greater care when inspecting worn preformed ropes, to determine their true condition.

New York, Aug. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Steel Wire Rope & Plastic Rope Market Research Report by Type of Lay, Coating Type, Type of Core, Material Type, Application, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06299509/?utm_source=GNW

The Global Steel Wire Rope & Plastic Rope Market size was estimated at USD 62.91 billion in 2021 and expected to reach USD 67.35 billion in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 7.32% to reach USD 96.14 billion by 2027.

This research report categorizes the Steel Wire Rope & Plastic Rope to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:

Based on Region, the market was studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas is further studied across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The United States is further studied across California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The Asia-Pacific is further studied across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa is further studied across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.

We continuously monitor and update reports on political and economic uncertainty due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Negative impacts are significantly foreseen globally, especially across Eastern Europe, European Union, Eastern & Central Asia, and the United States. This contention has severely affected lives and livelihoods and represents far-reaching disruptions in trade dynamics. The potential effects of ongoing war and uncertainty in Eastern Europe are expected to have an adverse impact on the world economy, with especially long-term harsh effects on Russia.This report uncovers the impact of demand & supply, pricing variants, strategic uptake of vendors, and recommendations for Steel Wire Rope & Plastic Rope market considering the current update on the conflict and its global response.

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Steel Wire Rope & Plastic Rope Market based on Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.

The report profoundly explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Steel Wire Rope & Plastic Rope Market, including Bekaert Sa, Bexco Nv Sa, Cortland Limited, English Braids Ltd., Gustav Wolf GmbH, Jiangsu Langshan Wire Rope Co., Ltd., Lanex A.S., Marlow Ropes, Samson Rope Technologies, Southern Ropes, Teufelberger Holding Ag, Tokyo Rope Mfg. Co., Ltd., Usha Martin, Wireco Worldgroup Inc., and Yale Cordage, Inc..

Wire rope is a complex mechanical device that has many moving parts all working in tandem to help support and move an object or load. In the lifting and rigging industries, wire rope is attached to a crane or hoist and fitted with swivels, shackles or hooks to attach to a load and move it in a controlled matter. It can also be used to lift and lower elevators, or as a means of support for suspension bridges or towers.

Wire rope is a preferred lifting device for many reasons. Its unique design consists of multiple steel wires that form individual strands laid in a helical pattern around a core. This structure provides strength, flexibility, and the ability to handle bending stresses. Different configurations of the material, wire, and strand structure will provide different benefits for the specific lifting application, including:Strength

However, selecting the proper wire rope for your lifting application requires some careful thought. Our goal is to help you understand the components of a wire rope, the construction of wire rope, and the different types of wire rope and what they might be used for. This will allow you to select the best performing and longest-lasting wire rope for the job at hand.

A wire rope is, in reality, a very complicated machine. A typical 6 x 25 rope has 150 wires in its outer strands, all of which move independently and together in a very complicated pattern around the core as the rope bends. Clearances between wires and strands are balanced when a rope is designed so that proper bearing clearances will exist to permit internal movement and adjustment of wires and strands when the rope has to bend. These clearances will vary as bending occurs, but are of the same range as the clearances found in automobile engine bearings.

Understanding and accepting the “machine idea” gives a rope user a greater respect for rope, and enables them to obtain better performance and longer useful life from rope applications. Anyone who uses a rope can use it more efficiently and effectively when they fully understand the machine concept.

Wires are the smallest component of wire rope and they make up the individual strands in the rope. Wires can be made from a variety of metal materials including steel, iron, stainless steel, monel, and bronze. The wires can be manufactured in a variety of grades that relate to the strength, resistance to wear, fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, and curve of the wire rope.

Strands of wire rope consist of two or more wires arranged and twisted in a specific arrangement. The individual strands are then laid in a helical pattern around the core of the rope.

The core of a wire rope runs through the center of the rope and supports the strands and helps to maintain their relative position under loading and bending stresses. Cores can be made from a number of different materials including natural or synthetic fibers and steel.

Lubrication is applied during the manufacturing process and penetrates all the way to the core. Wire rope lubrication has two primary benefits:Reduces friction as the individual wires and strands move over each other

The number of layers of wires, the number of wires per layer, and the size of the wires per layer all affect the strand pattern type. Wire rope can be constructed using one of the following patterns, or can be constructed using two or more of the patterns below.Single Layer – The most common example is a 7 wire strand with a single-wire center and six wires of the same diameter around it.

Filler Wire – Two layers of uniform-size wire around a center with the inner layer having half the number of wires as the outer layer. Small filler wires, equal to the number in the inner layer, are laid in valleys of the inner wire.

Seale – Two layers of wires around a center with the same number of wires in each layer. All wires in each layer are the same diameter. The large outer wires rest in the valleys between the smaller inner wires.

Warrington – Two layers of wires around a center with one diameter of wire in the inner layer, and two diameters of wire alternating large and small in the outer later. The larger outer-layer wires rest in the valleys, and the smaller ones on the crowns of the inner layer.

On a preformed wire rope, the strands and wires are formed during the manufacturing process to the helical shape that they will take in a finished wire rope.

Preformed rope can be advantageous in certain applications where it needs to spool more uniformly on a drum, needs greater flexibility, or requires more fatigue-resistance when bending.

Direction and type of lay refer to the way the wires are laid to form a strand (either right or left) and how the strands are laid around the core (regular lay, lang lay, or alternate lay).Regular Lay – The wires line up with the axis of the rope. The direction of the wire lay in the strand is opposite to the direction of the strand lay. Regular lay ropes are more resistant to crushing forces, are more naturally rotation-resistant, and also spool better in a drum than lang lay ropes.

Lang Lay– The wires form an angle with the axis of the rope. The wire lay and strand lay around the core in the same direction. Lang Lay ropes have a greater fatigue-resistance and are more resistant to abrasion.

A steel core can be an independent wire rope or an individual strand. Steel cores are best suited for applications where a fiber core may not provide adequate support, or in an operating environment where temperatures could exceed 180° F.

The classifications of wire rope provide the total number of strands, as well as a nominal or exact number of wires in each strand. These are general classifications and may or may not reflect the actual construction of the strands. However, all wire ropes of the same size and wire grade in each classification will have the SAME strength and weight ratings and usually the same pricing.

Besides the general classifications of wire rope, there are other types of wire rope that are special construction and designed for special lifting applications.

Some types of wire rope, especially lang lay wire rope, are more susceptible to rotation when under load. Rotation resistant wire rope is designed to resist twisting, spinning, or rotating and can be used in a single line or multi-part system.

Special care must be taken when handling, unreeling, and installing rotation resistant wire rope. Improper handling or spooling can introduce twist into the rope which can cause uncontrolled rotation.

Compacted strand wire rope is manufactured using strands that have been compacted, reducing the outer diameter of the entire strand, by means of passing through a die or rollers. This process occurs prior to closing of the rope.

This process flattens the surface of the outer wires in the strand, but also increases the density of the strand. This results in a smoother outer surface and increases the strength compared to comparable round wire rope (comparing same diameter and classification), while also helping to extend the surface life due to increased wear resistance.

A swaged wire rope differs from a compacted strand wire rope, in that a swaged wire rope’s diameter is compacted, or reduced, by a rotary swager machine after the wire rope has been closed. A swaged wire rope can be manufactured using round or compacted strands.

The advantages of a swaged wire rope are that they are more resistant to wear, have better crushing resistance, and high strength compared to a round strand wire rope of equal diameter and classification. However, a swaged wire rope may have less bending fatigue resistance.

A plastic coating can be applied to the exterior surface of a wire rope to provide protection against abrasion, wear, and other environmental factors that may cause corrosion. However, because you can’t see the individual strands and wires underneath the plastic coating, they can be difficult to inspect.

Plastic filled wire ropes are impregnated with a matrix of plastic where the internal spaces between the strands and wires are filled. Plastic filling helps to improve bending fatigue by reducing the wear internally and externally. Plastic filled wire ropes are used for demanding lifting applications.

This type of wire rope uses an Independent Wire Rope Core (IWRC) that is either filled with plastic or coated in plastic to reduce internal wear and increase bending fatigue life.

Remember, wire rope is a complex piece of mechanical machinery. There are a number of different specifications and properties that can affect the performance and service life of wire rope. Consider the following when specifying the best type of wire rope for your lifting application:Strength

When you select a piece of rope that is resistant to one property, you will most likely have a trade-off that affects another property. For example, a fiber core rope will be more flexible, but may have less crushing resistance. A rope with larger diameter wires will be more abrasion resistant, but will offer less fatigue resistance.

At Mazzella Companies, we offer all different kinds of wire rope from all of the leading manufacturers. We sell the highest-quality domestic and non-domestic rigging products because product quality and operating safety go hand-in-hand. We have one of the largest and most complete inventories of both domestic and non-domestic rigging and lifting products to suit your lifting needs.

If you’re looking for a standard or custom specified wire rope for your lifting project, contact a Lifting Specialist at a Mazzella Companies location near you.

We stock well over 2,000,000 feet of wire rope in our various locations … ready for immediate delivery! We provide wire rope assemblies, and manufacture bridge cables, crane cables, steel mill cables, and thousands of OEM assemblies.

This construction is used where ropes are dragged on the ground or over rollers, and resistance to wear and abrasion are important factors. The wires are quite large and will stand a great deal of wear. In fact, this construction is sometimes called “coarse laid” because of the large wires. The 6x7 is a stiff rope and needs sheaves and drums of large size. It will not withstand bending stresses as well as ropes with smaller wires. Because of the small number of wires, with the resulting higher percentage of load carried by each wire, a larger factor of safety should be considered with 6x7 ropes than with ropes having a larger number of wires.

The 6x19 Classification of wire rope is the most widely used. With its good combination of flexibility and wear resistance, rope in this class can be suited to the specific needs of diverse kinds of machinery and equipment. The 6x19 Seale construction, with its large outer wires, provides great ruggedness and resistance to abrasion and crushing. However, its resistance to fatigue is somewhat less than that offered by a 6x25 construction. The 6x25 possesses the best combination of flexibility and wear resistance in the 6x19 Class due to the filler wires providing support and imparting stability to the strand. The 6x26 Warrington Seale construction has a high resistance to crushing. This construction is a good choice where the end user needs the wear resistance of a 6x19 Class Rope and the flexibility midway between a 6x19 Class and 6x37 Class rope.

The 6x36 Class of wire rope is characterized by the relatively large number of wires used in each strand. Ropes of this class are among the most flexible available due to the greater number of wires per strand, however their resistance to abrasion is less than ropes in the 6x19 Class. The designation 6x36 is only nominal, as in the case with the 6x19 Class. Improvements in wire rope design, as well as changing machine designs, have resulted in the use of strands with widely varying numbers of wires and a smaller number of available constructions. Typical 6x37 Class constructions include 6x33 for diameters under 1/2", 6x36 Warrington Seale (the most common 6x37 Class construction) offered in diameters 1/2" through 1-5/8", and 6x49 Filler Wire Seale over 1-3/4" diameter.

Alternate Lay, sometimes referred to as reverse lay, is a stranded rope where the type of lay of the outer strands is alternately regular lay followed by lang lay such that three of the outer strands are regular lay and three are lang lay. Alternate lay wire rope has the extra flexibility of lang lay in combination with the structural stability of regular lay. It unites the best features of both types of wire rope. Alternate lay is made with relatively large outer wires to provide increase of abrasion resistance to scrubbing against sheaves and drums. Finer inside wires and flexibility enable alternate lay ropes to absorb severe bending stresses. It is well suited to winding applications where abrasion and crushing can occur. Alternate lay wire rope applications include boom hoists and numerous types of excavating equipment like clamshells, shovels, cranes, winches and scrapers.

The 8x19 Classification rotation resistant ropes are recommended for hoisting unguided loads with a single-part or multipart line. The eight outer strands are manufactured in right lay, with the inner strands being left lay. These ropes are slightly stronger and significantly more rugged than the 19x7 construction. However, the rotation-resistant properties of the 8x19 rotation-resistant ropes are much less than those of the 19x7 construction. These ropes are manufactured in right regular lay in the 8x19 Seale and 8x25 Filler Wire constructions.

19x7 is recommended for hoisting unguided loads with a single-part line. The rotation-resistant properties of this rope are secured by two layers of strands. The inner strands are left lay, while the 12 outer strands are right lay, which enables one layer to counteract the other layer"s rotation. The rotation-resistant characteristics of the 19x7 wire ropes are superior to those of the 8x19 Class wire ropes.

Fatigue Resistance. Improved fatigue properties are derived through the combination of the flexible 19x19 construction and die drawn strands. The drawn strand surfaces minimize the interstrand and interlayer nicking that take place in round rotation resistant ropes.

Abrasion Resistance. Die drawn ropes provide improved abrasion resistance as compared with round wire ropes because of the greater wire and strand bearing surfaces contacting sheaves and drums.

Resistance to Drum Crushing. SFP 19 wire ropes are resistant to the effects of drum crushing due to the compacted strands and smoothness of the rope surface.

Superior Rotation Resistance. The SFP 35 rope is the most rotation resistant rope manufactured by WW. Due to its rotation resistant properties, SFP 35 may be used with a swivel in both single part and multipart reeving.

6-PAC is recommended for use where the rope is subjected to heavy use or where conditions are extremely abusive, such as offshore pedestal, crawler and lattice boom equipped truck crane boom hoist applications. 6-PAC is also recommended for winch lines, overhead cranes, multipart hoist lines where rotation-resistant ropes are not required, and other applications where flexibility, high strength and resistance to crushing are important, and a cost-effective 6-strand rope is desired.

Fatigue Resistance. Improved fatigue properties are derived from the combination of 6-PAC"s flexible constructions and the compacted strands. The compacted strand surface minimizes the interstrand and interlayer nicking that take place in standard 6-strand ropes.

Abrasion Resistance. 6-PAC"s compacted strand design provides improved abrasion resistance as compared to standard 6-strand ropes because of the increased wire and strand surfaces contacting sheaves and drums.

Drum Crushing. 6-PAC dramatically increases the amount of wire contact with the drums and sheaves, reducing the wire rope, sheave and drum wear normally associated with standard wire rope.

Recommended for applications where abrasion and fatigue resistance is required, such as for winch lines, chokers, skylines, and haul backs, as well as any application where a swaged rope is used

8-PAC is recommended for hoist ropes for steel mill ladle cranes and hoist and trolley ropes for container cranes, or other hoisting applications with heavy duty cycles or where severe bending occurs.

Superior Performance. 8-PAC has higher breaking strength and gives superior performance in difficult hoisting applications compared to standard 6-strand and 6-strand compacted ropes.

Abrasion Resistance. 8-PAC compacted strand design provides improved abrasion resistance as compared to standard 6 and 8 strand ropes because of the increased wire and strand surfaces contacting the sheaves and drums.

SUPER-PAC is a double compacted product ideal for applications where abrasion and drum crushing are an issue. When compared with standard ropes, SUPER-PAC provides: Better resistance to multi-layer drum crushing. SUPERPAC dramatically reduces the damage at cross over points on smooth face drums, such as those found on many boom hoist systems on mobile cranes. This is achieved by compaction of the strands and the rope, making a tough but flexible product.

Superior Fatigue Resistance. SUPER-PAC is engineered for overall performance, its wire tensile strength being the key to its superior fatigue resistant properties. In addition to contribution to SUPERPAC’s EEEIP breaking strength, the wire used in the manufacture of SUPER-PAC remains ductile, minimizing the occurrences of external and internal wire breaks caused by operating stresses.

TRIPLE-PAC was developed for the most demanding hoist applications. TRIPLE-PAC offers the extra high strength and crushing resistance needed for applications such as boom hoist ropes, boom pendants and multipart load lines.

TRIPLE-PAC provides superior abrasion and fatigue resistance as compared with most compacted ropes due to WW’s unique design of compacting the IWRC, individual strands and the rope itself. Other benefits include:

Superior Resistance to Multilayer Drum Crushing. TRIPLE-PAC provides superior resistance to crushing through its design. Its triple compaction provides a denser cross section, enabling the rope to withstand the rigors of multilayer spooling. Damage at the cross over points is also significantly reduced.

BXL is infused with a specially- engineered polymer, creating a well-balanced matrix. BXL is recommended for numerous hoist, marine and logging rope applications. BXL provides: Fatigue Resistance. Improved fatigue resistance is derived from the cushioning and dampening effect of the polymer on the wires and strands. BXL also evenly distributes stresses which may lead to fatigue breaks.

Abrasion Resistance. The polymer acts as a barrier between the individual strands, preventing penetration of any adverse material. BXL distributes and reduces contact stresses between the rope and sheave, reducing wire rope wear.

Service Life. BXL minimizes corrugation and wear normally associated with standard rope usage by restricting water and dirt penetration and eliminating pickup of abrasive materials.

This rope is particularly suitable where severe conditions of crushing and abrasion are encountered on the drum or where a higher strength design factor is required than can be obtained with a similar round rope.

The triangular strand shape not only provides better resistance to crushing, but also offers a greater exposed surface area for contact with sheaves, drums or underlying layers of spooled rope. This feature, in connection with the use of Lang lay construction, distributes the abrasive wear over a greater number and length of wires. The smooth surface of the rope also helps minimize wear on drums and sheaves.

ROEPAC is a three strand compacted rope with high breaking strength and stable construction making it perfect as a pulling rope for overhead transmission lines and underground conduits. It’s flexibility and flat surface provides snag-free guidance of the attached lines.

Abrasion Resistance. Compacted design provides improved abrasion resistance compared to standard 6 strand ropes because of the increased wire and strand surfaces contacting the sheaves and drum.

Each batch of our Stainless Steel wire is graded or certified at a specified MBS and the batch will meet or exceed the rating. This is against standards set by the AISI (an international Standards Group) This with other detailed specifications of a given batch of wire is captured in a “Mill Certificate”.

Galvanised wire is also graded or certified at a specified MBS and the batch will meet or exceed the rating. This is against Factory standards as there is no international Standards Group. Again, the detailed specifications of a given batch of wire is captured in a “Mill Certificate”.

For every batch of wire we receive, we log and file the Mill Certificates.  This data is used as a record of quality and the basis for our data sheets on each wire form.

Our Australian based Consulting team can help you decide which stainless steel wire rope is right for your application. Send an Email or call 1300 601 514 to get in touch with a team member and inquire about your stainless steel wire rope options!

Wire ropes are several strands of metal wire that are twisted into a helix to form a composite rope, known as a laid rope. Large diameter wire rope consists of several strands of rope laid in what is known as cabling. Wire ropes are complex mechanical devices consisting of several moving parts that work together to help support & move an object or load.

In the lifting & rigging industries, wire rope is attached to a crane or hoist & fitted with a swivel, shackle, or hook to attach to a load and move it into a controlled case. It can also be used for lifting and lowering elevators or as a means of support for suspension bridges or towers. Wire rope is a preferred lifting tool for many reasons.

Its unique design consists of several steel wires that form separate strands placed in a helical pattern around a core. These structures provide strength, flexibility, & the ability to handle bending stresses. In the strictest sense, the term wire rope refers to a diameter larger than 3/8 inch (9.52 mm), with a smaller gauge specified cable or cord.

Initially, iron wires were used, but today the main material used for wire ropes is steel. Wire rope is made from cold-drawn wires to increase strength & durability. It may be noted that as its size decreases, the strength of the wire ropes increases.

The various materials used for wire ropes are iron, cast steel, extra strong cast steel, steel, and alloy steel, in order of increasing strength. For some purposes, wire rope can also be made from copper, bronze, aluminum alloys, and stainless steel. Wire ropes were developed in the 1830s with mining hoist applications.

Wire ropes are used in cranes and elevators for dynamic lifting and lifting and for transmission of mechanical power. It is also used to transmit forces to mechanisms, such as Bowden cables or the control surface of an airplane connected to levers and pedals in the cockpit.

Wire rope is made of threads of metal wire that are braided together to form a helix. Due to its heavy, flexible and tough characteristics, as well as being weather- and corrosion-resistant, it is commonly used in the building and construction, engineering, agriculture, aircraft, and marine industries.

Each wire strand bringing equal pressure to the bundle contributes to its strength and flexibility, making it an ideal material for pulleys. In Australia, wire rope was made of iron; Today, the materials used are mainly steel. Different industries use different types of wire ropes.

This is because the suitability of a specific wire rope for an application depends on the design, size, type of braids, and other characteristics. For example, marine-grade 316 wire rope is suitable for a variety of marine applications and settings.

Stainless steel is the standard alloy used in rope and cable. Its resistance to corrosions is much higher than that of galvanized & coated ropes, although there are no differences in strength. Therefore, it is the preferred material uses in marines and water-based salt industries.

It does not readily react to chemicals from food processing, textiles, and photographic settings. Its high resistance to corrosion, heat & cold, and pulp & paper chemicals makes stainless steel wire rope a much-needed material for manufacturing precision instruments, automobiles, fishing vessels, petrochemical equipment, & other fields.

Galvanized wire ropes are also steel wire materials that have undergone a galvanizing process to increase their corrosion resistance. The finished wire is immersed in a zinc bath to coat the product completely, i.e., it is galvanized.

Zinc is used in this process because cathode protection increases the life expectancy of the wire. Although the coating will degrade over time, it is still resistant to rust, corrosion, and other harsh chemicals. Galvanized wire can be found in the industrial and construction sectors as well as in agricultural and DIY projects.

Stainless steel and galvanized wire can be PVC coated with poly-vinyl-chloride or vinyl. Coated wire rope comes in various colors such as clear, black, white, or any other color that is required in various industries. PVC coated wire is flexible, weather-resistant, and very cost-effective.

Nylon-coated wire, although not as flexible as PVC, is abrasion-resistant and ideal for businesses in extremely cold regions. Wire ropes can be assembled to suit specific applications. If you have a project requiring a specific type of wire rope, send us an inquiry, and we’ll send you a special quote.

The wire is the smallest component of wire rope, and they form the individual strands in the rope. Wire can be made from a variety of metal materials, including steel, iron, stainless steel, Monel, and bronze. Wires can be manufactured in varieties of grades that are related to wire rope strength, wear resistance, fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, and curve.

These strings symbolize the smallest component of a wire rope and are tied together around a core to form complete wire ropes. The wire themselves can be coated but are usually available in “bright” or uncoated finishes.

Wire rope strings form two or more wires wrapped around an axial member in a geometric pattern or in combination with steel wires and other materials. These individual strands are then placed around the core in a helical pattern. Strands represent the major part that serves as the primary load-bearing unit.

A typical strand can form any number of strands, and the same goes for a rope that can have an ‘n’ number of strands. Wires made from larger diameter wires are more resistant to abrasion, while wires made of smaller diameter wires are more flexible.

The core of a wire rope runs through the center of the rope & supports the wires and helps them maintain their relative position under loading and bending stress. Cores can be made from many different materials, including natural or synthetic fibers and steel. It supports the strands and helps maintain their relative position under loading and bending stress.

Wire ropes are made from the various grades of steel wires with tensile strengths ranging from 1200 to 2400 MPa. The wires are first given special heat treatment & then cold drawn for the high strength and durability of the rope. Steel wire ropes are manufactured by special machines.

First, strands of wire such as 7, 19, or 37 are routed into a single strand, and then several strands, usually 6 or 8, are twisted around the core or center to form a rope. The core may be made of loops of hemp, jute, mica, or soft steel wire.

The core must be continuously saturated with lubricants for the long lives of the core as well as the entire rope. Asbestos or soft wire core is used when a rope is subjected to radiant heat, such as cranes working near furnaces.

However, a wire core reduces the rope’s flexibility, and such ropes are only used where they are subject to high compression, as in the case of multiple layers being injured on a rope drum.

The number of layers of wires, the numbers of wires per layer, & the size of the wire per layer all affect the strand pattern type. Wire ropes can be constructed using any one of the following patterns or can be made using two or more of the pattern below.

The Two-layer of similarly sized wire around a center whose inner layer is half the number of wires as the outer layer. Small fillers wires, equal to the numbers in the inner layer, are placed in the valleys of the inner wire.

Two layers of wires around centers with the same numbers of wires in each layer. All wire in each layer is of the same diameter. The larger outer strings rest in the valleys between the smaller inner strings.

The inner layer consists of two layers of wires around a center with one diameter of the wire, and the latter alternates two diameters of the larger and smaller wire in the outer. The larger wires in the outer layer are placed in the valleys & the smaller ones on the crowns of the inner layer.

On a prefabricated wire rope, the wire and wire are formed during the manufacturing process into the helical shape that they will take into a finished wire rope. Prefabricated rope can be beneficial in some applications where it needs to be spooled more evenly over the drum, more flexibility is required, or greater fatigue resistance is required when bending.

Direction and laying type refer to how the wires are laid to form a strand, either right or left & how the strands are laid around the regular core lay, lang lay, or alternate lay.

The wires are lined up with the axis of the rope. The direction of the wire held in the strand is opposite to the direction in the strand lay. Regular lat ropes are more resistant to crushing forces, are more naturally rotation-resistant, and also have a better spool in the drum than lang lat ropes.

The wires make an angle with the axis of the rope. The wire lay down, and the strand lay around the core in the same direction. Lang le ropes have greater fatigue resistance and are more resistant to abrasion.

A fiber core may be made of natural or synthetic polypropylene fibers. Fiber cores offer greater elasticity than steel cores but are more susceptible to crushing and are not recommended for high heat environments. A steel core can be independent wire ropes or an individual strand.

Steel cores are bests suited for applications where the fiber core cannot provide adequate support or in an operating environment where temperatures may exceed 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Based on what we have learned above, this wire rope description will provide the following information to the user:

Wire rope classifications provide the total number of wires in each strand, as well as the nominal or an exact number of wires. These are general classifications & may or may not reflect the actual constructions of the strands. However, all wires rope of the same size & wires grade in each classification will have similar strength and weight ratings and generally similar pricing.

Some types of wire rope, particularly lang le wire rope, are more susceptible to rotation under load. Rotation-resistant wire rope is designed to resist twisting, spinning, or twisting and can be used in a single-line or multi-part system. Special care should be taken when handling, unrolling, and installing rotation-resistant wire rope. Improper handling or spooling can introduce a twist in the rope, which can lead to uncontrolled twisting.

Compact Strand Wire Rope is manufactured using strands that have been compacted, by means of passing through a die or rollers, reducing the outside diameter of the entire strand. This process occurs before the rope is closed. This process flattens the surfaces of the outer strands in the strand but also increases the density of the strand.

This resulted in a smoother outer surface and increased strength compared to comparable round wire rope compare similar diameters and assortments while also helping to increase surface life due to increased wear resistance.

A swaged wires rope differs from a compacted strand wires rope in that the diameter of a swaged wire rope is compacted or reduced by a rotary swagger machine after the wire rope is closed. A curved wire rope can be manufactured using rounded or narrower wires.

The advantages of a swaged wires rope are that they are more resistant to wear, has better crushing resistance, and has higher strength than a round strand wire rope of similar diameter and assortment. However, a swaged wire rope may have low bending fatigue resistance.

The plastic coating may be applied to the outer surface of a wire rope to provide protection from abrasion, wear, and other environmental factors that can cause corrosion. However, because you can’t see the individuals strand & wires beneath the plastic coating, they can be difficult to inspect.

Plastic-filled wire ropes are fitted with a plastic matrix where the wires and the internal spaces between the wires are filled. Plastic fillings help improve bending fatigue by reducing wear internally and externally. Plastics-filled wire rope is used for demanding lifting applications.

This type of wires rope uses an independent wires rope core (IWRC) that is either filled with plastics or coated in plastic to reduce internal wear & increase bending fatigue life.

Strands of wire rope consist of two or more wires arranged and twisted in a specific arrangement. The individual strands are then laid in a helical pattern around the core of the rope. Strands made of larger diameter wires are more resistant to abrasion, while strands made of smaller diameter wires are more flexible.

The Three Basic Wire Rope Components · Fiber Core (F.C.), usually polypropylene, sometimes hemp (H.C.) and sisal, Independent Wire Rope Core (IWRC), Wire Strand Core (WSC)

The term cable is often used interchangeably with wire rope. However, in general, wire rope refers to diameters larger than 3/8 inch. Sizes smaller than this are designated as cables or cords. Two or more wires concentrically laid around a center wire are called a strand.

The term cable is often used interchangeably with wire rope. However, in general, wire rope refers to diameters larger than 3/8 inch. Sizes smaller than this are designated as cables or cords. Two or more wires concentrically laid around a center wire are called a strand.

A fiber core can be made of natural or synthetic polypropylene fibers. Fiber cores offer greater elasticity than a steel core but are more susceptible to crushing and not recommended for high heat environments. A steel core can be an independent wire rope or an individual strand.

Rotation-resistant wire rope refers to a series of steel ropes that minimizes the tendency to spin or rotate under load. These wire ropes boast a special design – the outer layer is twisted in the reverse direction of the inner layers for counteracting torsional forces generated from multi-layers of strands.

The helix or spiral of the wires and strands in a rope is called the lay. Regular lay denotes rope in which the wires are twisted in one direction and the strands in the opposite direction from the rope. The wires appear to run roughly parallel to the center line of the rope.

Wire rope classification is done by the number of strands as well as by the number of wires in each strand, e.g., 6 x 7, 6 x 19, 6 x 37, 8 x 19, 19 x 7, etc. However, these are nominal classifications that may or may not reflect the actual construction. For example, the 6 x 19 class includes constructions such as 6 x 21 filler wire, 6 x 25 filler wire, and 6 x 26 Warrington Seale. Despite the fact that none of the three constructions named have 19 wires, they are designated as being in the 6 x 19 classification.

Hence, a supplier receiving an order for 6 x 19 rope may assume this to be a class reference, and could possibly furnish any construction within this category. But, should the job require the special characteristics of a 6 x 25 filler wire, and a 6 x 19 Seale is supplied in its stead, a shorter service life may result.

To avoid such misunderstandings, the safest procedure is to order a specific construction. In the event that the specific construction is not known or is in doubt, the rope should be ordered by class along with a description of its end use.

Identification of wire rope in class groups facilitates selection on the basis of strength and weigh/foot since it is customary domestic industry practice that all ropes (from a given manufacturer) within a class have the same nominal strength and weigh/foot. As for other-functional-characteristics, these can be obtained by referencing the specific construction within the class.

Only three wire ropes under the 6 x 19 classification actually have 19 wires: 6 x 19 two-operation (2-op), 6 x 19 Seale (S), and 6 x 19 Warrington (W). All the rest have different wire counts. In the 6 x 37 class there is a greater variety of wire constructions. The commonly available constructions in the 6 x 37 class include: 6 x 31 Warrington Seale (WS), 6 x 36 WS, 6 x 41 Seale Filler Wire (SFW), 6 x 41 WS, 6 x 43 Filler Wire Seale (FWS), 6 x 46 WS, etc. – none of which contain exactly 37 wires.

US Producer Price Index: Metals and Metal Products: Ferrous Wire Rope, Cable, Forms Strand is at a current level of 374.05, up from 373.69 last month and up from 316.95 one year ago. This is a change of 0.09% from last month and 18.02% from one year ago.