Understanding the basics of wire rope will help guide you on how to choose the right wire rope for your job. Application, required strength, and environmental conditions all play a factor in determining the type of wire rope that is best for you.
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But when it comes to buying wire rope, the various numbers and abbreviations that describe the different types of wire rope can be confusing. EIPS wire rope, 6X19 IWRC wire rope, and lang lay wire rope are just some of the many variations available. But what does it all mean?
These wire rope basics will help you understand the differences among types of wire so you can buy with confidence.
Displayed as inch or fractional inch measurements, the size indicates the diameter of the rope. Industry standards measure the rope at its widest point. A wide range of sizes are available from 1/8” wire rope to 2-1/2” wire rope. Thicker sized wire rope has a higher break strength. For example, our Wire Rope has a 15,100 lb. break strength while our Wire Rope has a 228,000 lb. break strength.
Wire rope is composed of individual wires that are twisted to form strands, which twist again to form a rope construction.
7/16" stainless steel wire rope: 6 x 19 construction
The numbers indicate its construction. For example: in wire rope, as shown above the first number is the number of strands (6); the second number is how many wires make up one strand (19).
Numbers may also be followed by a letter combination such as FW or WS which indicates how the outside layer is constructed.
This refers to the twisting direction of the wires and strands during the construction of the rope.
When it comes to wire rope basics, regular lay also refers to right lay or ordinary lay. This indicates that the strands pass from left to right across the rope and the wires in the rope lay in opposite direction to the lay of the strands. This type of construction is the most common and offers the widest range of applications for the rope.
This term indicates that the wires twist in the same direction as the strands. These ropes are generally more flexible and have increased wearing surface per wire than right lay ropes. Because the outside wires lie at an angle to the rope’s axis, internal stress is reduced making it more resistant to fatigue from bending. This type of rope is often used in construction, excavating, and mining applications.
Refers to what makes up the center of the wire rope.
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Fiber cores are made of vegetable (sisal, etc.) or synthetic (polypropylene, etc.) fiber and offer more elasticity.
Independent wire rope cores offer more support to the outer strands and have a higher resistance to crushing and heat. Independent wire rope core also has less stretch and more strength.
Refers to the grade of steel used. Classifications include:
IPS= improved plowed steel.
EIPS = extra improved plowed steel (approximately 10% stronger than IPS).
EEIPS= extra extra improved plowed steel (approximately 10% stronger than the EIPS).
GIPS= galvanized improved plowed steel; galvanized wires add corrosion resistance.
DGEIP= drawn galvanized improved plow steel; galvanized for corrosion resistance. Drawn wires generally have a higher break load than GIPS.
6 x 37 EIPS IWRC 3/8" galvanized wire rope
This last tip on wire rope basics refers to the protective coating applied to the rope.
Made with uncoated wires manufactured from high carbon steel.
Provides extra corrosion resistance.
Highly resistant to corrosion and is commonly used in marine applications.
3/4" bright wire rope: 8 x 19 EIPS IWRC
Many of our customers use our rope and our wire rope clips to create rope assemblies. Check out of video blog on Wire Rope Clips to Wire Rope Assemblies to learn more.
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.
For the users’ convenience, the most widely used rope classifications are listed and described in Table 1.
WIRE ROPE CLASSIFICATIONS
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