Wire Rope

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Product Code : 01

Product Specification

Wire Rope

Wire Rope Basics

A wire rope is composed of a large number of steel wires wound together in a different fashion around one center core.

Construction: Different constructions of wire ropes serve different purposes. The format of a wire rope construction is A X B whereby A stands for the number of strands and B stands for the number of wires per strand. In a wire rope of equivalent diameter the lesser the number of wires, the more the breaking strength but lesser flexibility and vice versa.

Core: A core is the foundation of wire rope. The strands are wound around the core adds to the ropes resilience. There are mainly two types of cores

Fiber Core: A fiber core allows the wire rope to be more flexible and more resilient to shock loads and hence finds applicability in shipping and slings

Steel Core or IWRC: Steel core increases the breaking strength of wire rope in an equivalent diameter and is used for more subtle operation such as Piling, Engineering and Haulage.

Lay: There are two types of lay

Ordinary lay- Right hand Ordinary (Regular) lay and Left hand ordinary(Regular) lay.
Langs Lay: - Right hand Langs Lay and Left hand Langs Lay.

Different Lays

However for all practical purposes right hand ordinary lay or RHOL is the most sought out.

Finish:

Ungalvanised
Galvanised.

Ungalvanised: Wire ropes of ungalvanised finish are popular with industrial and engineering application and more used for close door projects.

Galvanised: Galvanising of the Wire is often done to improve the corrosive strength of the Wire. Galvanised to finish wire is first drawn as a wire smaller than the predetermined size and then pressed through the galvanising process to obtain the requisite size. These wires have a nominal strength less than 10% of equivalent sized wire ropes.
Drawn galvanized wires are galvanized before the final drawing to finished size. Since the galvanized coating also goes through the drawing process, it is much thinner than Galvanised to finish wires. They have a nominal breaking strength, which is equivalent to the same size and grade of the wire rope.

How to measure Wire Ropes.

Measuring Wire Rope

Choosing the Right Wire Rope

Abrasion Resistance:

In case a wire rope is required to withstand abrasion resistance, then it is preferable to use a Wire rope with fewer wires but large wires (6X7), (6X19).

Fatigue Resistance:

A wire rope with more wires in each strand will increase fatigue resistance, as it will allow the wire to be more flexible. E.g. 6 X 36, 6 X 37.

Crushing Resistance:

When external pressure is applied to the wire rope it tends to distort the strands of the rope and may eventually lead to shortening of its like. Preferable wire ropes are IWRC since they can easily withstand pressure and preferable construction are 6-strand construction instead of 8 strands and above.

Wire Rope Applications

Shipping:

Galvanised wire ropes lasts longer due to zinc coat and hence prevent rusting and allow more durability.
Fibre core wire ropes are more preferred since they are very flexible and easy to handle. In case more breaking load is required one can opt for higher tensile designation of wire.
Popular constructions in shipping are 6 X 24 and 6 X 37 since they enhance flexibility and reduce abrasion.

Cranes

IWRC wires are generally preferred since it gives higher breaking strength in a smaller size.
They are generally ungalvanised and well greased so as to allow minimal friction while working.
They are either in constructions of 6 X 19, 6 X 37 or 6 X 37.
6 X 36 Construction wires have more breaking strength then their 6 X 37 peers.

Industrial applications:

Ungalvanised wire ropes are used.
6 X 19, 6 X 36 and 6 X 37 are the most popular constructions out of which 6 X 19 is the most popular since it allows for higher breaking strength as well as cheaper then 6 X 36 and 6 X 37 wire ropes.

Chemical Industries: Whereas chemicals are directly or indirectly in contact with wire ropes. It is preferable to use stainless steel wire ropes since they are resistant to almost all acids and fuels. S.S. Wire ropes are available in 7 X 7 and 7 X 19 constructions and are made from two grades of steel i.e. 304 and 316

Lashing: Wire ropes are used for lashing of cargo in ships. Such wire ropes are either high carbon or mild steel depending upon the cargo to be lashed. There is no quantifiable substitute yet found for lashing other than wire ropes because they are very sturdy and cost efficient.

Fishing:

Galvanised wire ropes are a must since they are exposed to the vigours of the sea.
6 X 19 or 6 X 7 are the most popular constructions since these wire ropes are required for holding of large nets.

How to order Wire Ropes