GK contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.
Wire ropes are complex mechanical devices with many moving parts working harmoniously to provide adequate support for heavy loads and objects. Wire ropes are used in many different industries, from construction to marine and other various applications. Their function is supported with swivels, shackles, or hooks to allow for controlled movement. There are two different types of core materials that make up these industrial wire ropes: fibre or steel.
Today, we’ll look at the components of wire ropes, their core materials, and the difference between fibre and steel wire rope cores.
The strength of wire rope makes it an incredible and often essential asset for any industry where lifting and rigging are a part of daily operation. Its design consists of multiple wires made from stainless steel or galvanised steel arranged in a spiral shape, wrapped around an independent steel or fibre core. This wire strand core promotes high strength and flexibility and can handle extreme bending stresses.
While keeping the basic components of wire rope construction intact, manufacturers will edit the strand pattern type, wire or core material for different applications and benefits. Some industries require greater crushing resistance, bending fatigue resistance or corrosion protection, which is where selecting the correct wire rope becomes paramount.
A wire rope is a machine with many moving parts, but ultimately, the rope’s abilities come down to its core. The core is the foundation of the rope. The core runs through the centre of the rope to support the strands and keep the wires in position under intensive stress.
When looking for the correct rope core for your application, consider the following two types…
This refers to an independent wire rope core made from steel or fibre.
A wire strand core is a steel wire rope with a core from the same material and construction of the rope.
For example, 6×19 FC refers to a six-strand lay with 19 wires per strand wrapped around a fibre core.
Two different types of material make up wire rope cores: Fibre and Steel.
A fibre core wire rope is formed with either natural or synthetic fibres. This creates a more flexible wire rope than a wire rope with a steel core.
Fibre core wire ropes are manufactured for their flexibility and resistance to fatigue over time; however, their susceptibility to crushing is unsuitable for environments with high heat or open flame.
Wire ropes with steel cores are created with either stainless steel or galvanised steel. They are best suited to applications where a fibre core will not provide enough support or where the temperature may exceed 180° F.
Selecting the correct wire rope and type of wire rope lubrication for your application, environment, and industry is of the utmost importance. Incorrect selection can result in poor stress resistance, premature breakage, or unsafe and inefficient function. The load-bearing abilities of your wire rope will be highly regulated based on their application. Its core type determines its strength and flexibility.
Safety is compromised whenever the wire rope is used out of accordance with its intended purpose. Understanding the construction and material used in the wire rope core is a great first step to correct wire rope selection.
Strong wire rope material is essential for the safety of your workers and worksite. It also affects how you maintain and care for your ropes over time.
All wire ropes are lubricated during the manufacturing process to add flexibility, corrosion resistance and strength; however, this lubrication will wear off over time. A poorly lubricated wire rope with a dried-out core will be susceptible to snapping, premature fatigue, poor performance and a lack of flexibility. Lubrication without a wire rope lubricator that penetrates to the core can be ineffective and messy
Viper’s vast range of wire rope lubrication systems apply lubrication evenly and properly to increase the lifespan of your rope up to 300% longer. The strength and flexibility of your wire rope begins at its fibre or steel core.
Browse our range today, or contact our crew if you have any further questions about wire rope lubrication or the maintenance needs of your specific wire rope and its core.
When it comes to choosing the right Galvanised wire rope, you need to ensure you choose the materials best suited to meet your application’s needs, while also being sensitive to budget. This requires working with the right wire supplier that understands your application and explain how a product will meet your requirements. Commercial and Domestic builders know that Galvanised Wire Rope is cost-effective, strong, durable, corrosion-resistant, and heat resistant. This makes it among the more popular wire materials precisely due to its wide range of applications and affordability.
#1 Cost-Effective
Galvanised steel wire rope suppliers often recommend it over other cable construction materials because of its cost-effectiveness in appropriate rigging applications. But what’s interesting is that its affordability, as compared with more expensive alternatives like Stainless Steel for example is rooted in its low maintenance, longevity, availability and ease of use and installation. Therefore the material’s mechanical malleability, combined with how readily available it is, makes galvanised steel ideal in many use cases in the appropriate environment.
As a Galvanised steel wire rope supplier, Low Cost Wire works with industry-standard galvanised grades such as 1570, 1770, and (Marine) 2070. We are proud to be a supplier of over-the-counter galvanised steel cable and a manufacturer of an entire family of cable fittings to create your custom cable assembly.
#2 Strong
Another reason Galvanised steel is an industry-standard is because of galvanised steel wire rope’s strength, durability and resistance to work hardening. For example, Grade 301 and 304 stainless steel possesses a very high tensile strength in both strip and wire forms. Unfortunately in repeated deformation applications, Stainless Steel Wire Rope can work harden and fail catastrophically. Galvanized steel, with a lower tensile strength comparatively, will not work harden in the same sort of application.
#3 Easy to Work With
Another feature that makes galvanised steel cable advantageous is that it’s easy to work with, compared to other materials. It is very easily formed, especially in the small-diameter wires inside the cable as well. What’s more, galvanised steel mechanical cable is also easy to lay into the appropriate shape when stranded.
If your application requires sensitivity to corrosion, and is in an aggressive environment created by factors such as weather or water, salt or chemicals or otherwise that limits free oxygen, galvanised steel cable is an excellent choice. The Marine Grade version of galvanised Wire Rope has a very high tolerance of harsh environmental conditions. This ensures that the cable can take a beating over a long period of time by moisture. Comparatively speaking, Stainless steel, another steel cable we provide, is vulnerable to applications where aggressive oxygen deprived environments are present, like marine or submerged saltwater uses.
Our Australian based manufacturing team can help you decide which wire rope is right for your application. Visit our contact page to get in touch with a Low Cost Wire team member and inquire about your wire rope options!
If you want to learn more, please visit our website piston pump operation.