High-Strength Composite Rope for Lifting, Rigging & Structural Applications
Wire rope is a type of composite rope made from multiple strands of steel wires twisted together around a central core. It is primarily used in lifting, rigging, and structural applications due to its strength, flexibility, and ability to withstand various stresses.
Wire ropes come in various configurations, denoted by a notation system that indicates the number of strands and wires per strand (e.g., 6x19 means six strands with 19 wires each). They are used in a wide range of applications, including lifting with cranes or hoists, suspension in structures like bridges or elevators, and transmission in mechanisms such as control cables for aircraft.
Attached to cranes or hoists for moving heavy loads in construction, manufacturing, and industrial applications.
Used in structures like bridges, elevators, and cable-stayed structures for support and load distribution.
Employed in mechanisms such as control cables for aircraft, winches, and other precision machinery.
Multiple wire construction provides exceptional tensile strength for demanding applications.
Designed to bend around sheaves and drums while maintaining structural integrity.
Resistant to wear, abrasion, and corrosion for long-lasting performance in harsh environments.
Wire rope typically consists of three main components working together to provide strength and flexibility:
The central part of the wire rope, which can be made from steel or fiber materials. This core provides support and stability to the strands laid around it.
Groups of wires twisted together. Multiple strands are helically wound around the core to form the complete wire rope[web:32].
The individual metal components that make up each strand. The number and arrangement determine the rope's flexibility and strength[web:32].
Made of natural or synthetic polypropylene fibers. Fiber cores offer greater elasticity than steel cores but are more susceptible to crushing and not recommended for high heat environments[web:34].
A steel core that can be an independent wire rope. IWRC provides maximum strength and is best suited for applications requiring high load capacity or operating in temperatures exceeding 180°F[web:37].
A single strand of wire used as the core. Provides better support than fiber core while maintaining some flexibility for specific applications.
| Construction | Characteristics | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 6x19 | Excellent abrasion resistance, good balance between fatigue and wear resistance[web:36] | Overhead cranes, winches, general lifting, slings |
| 6x37 | High flexibility, more wires per strand, better bending fatigue resistance[web:37] | Mobile cranes, elevators, marine rigging, hoists |
| 6x25 | Good all-round performance for rope slings and winching[web:36] | Rope slings, general winching applications |
| 18x7 | Rotation resistant, multi-strand construction | Single-part line applications, no swivel points |
| 6x36 | Increased flexibility for winching applications[web:36] | Winches, drums, frequent bending applications |
| Grade | Tensile Strength | Strength Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| IPS (Improved Plow Steel) | 1770 N/mm² | Standard baseline strength[web:32] |
| EIPS (Extra Improved Plow Steel) | 1960 N/mm² | 15% stronger than IPS[web:32] |
| EEIPS (Extra Extra Improved Plow Steel) | 2160 N/mm² | 10% stronger than EIPS[web:32] |
The lay refers to the way wires are laid to form a strand and how strands are laid around the core[web:32].
The wires line up with the axis of the rope. Wire lay direction is opposite to strand lay direction. More resistant to crushing and rotation-resistant. Spools better on drums[web:32].
The wires form an angle with the axis of the rope. Wire lay and strand lay are in the same direction. Greater fatigue resistance and more resistant to abrasion[web:32].
Consists of alternating regular lay and lang lay strands. Used mainly for special applications requiring specific performance characteristics.
Put a piece of iron tube through the reel or coil of wire rope, then install the reel onto a dedicated carrier. Keep the wire rope parallel to the ground and turn to unwind.
The winding direction of wire rope on the reel should depend on the lay direction: from left to right for right-lay wire rope, or from right to left for left-lay wire rope. Wind the wire rope neatly onto the reel without the wire rope overlapping each other.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Sizes Available | From 3mm to 80mm |
| Surface Finish | Galvanized and Ungalvanized (bright) |
| Core Options | IWRC, FC, and WSC |
| Typical Constructions | 6x37, 6x19, 18x7, 6x25, 6x36, and more |
| Tensile Strengths | 1770 N/mm² (IPS), 1960 N/mm² (EIPS), 2160 N/mm² (EEIPS) |
| Lay Options | Regular Lay, Lang Lay, Right Hand, Left Hand |
