Wire Rope: Making, Coating, and Perks of a Stainless Steel Wire Rope

Posted by Alan on November 28th, 2022

A wire rope is one of the lesser-known materials that are very elegant and offer more style and functionality in comparison with traditional methods. The following article sheds light on the major perks of Stainless Steel Wire Rope.

An Insight into Wire Rope

For those of you who don't know, a wire rope is basically referred to as a collection of metal strands that have been twisted to form the shape of a helix with the objective of lifting and supporting heavy loads and performing tasks that aren't meant for a standard wire.

These are generally used on rigging, shipping docks, and load-bearing equipment. It is attached to shackles, swivels, or even hooks for lifting a load in a controlled and efficient manner.

Wire Rope- The Making

The making of wire rope includes a wide range of machine tools for performing heavy and extreme lifting jobs. It is a very complicated and complex tool that has multiple moving parts that are capable of moving in unison.

Here are three basic components of a wire rope, which include the strand, core, and wire, all of which are wounded together for the formation of a wire rope.

Materials for Wire Rope

Steel

For the general audience, a steel wire rope can be classified as general-purpose wire rope and is available in a wide range of diameters, sizes, and strengths. This is the most common type of wire rope and can be used for different industrial, construction, and manufacturing applications.

Galvanized Steel

This gets coated with zinc to protect the steel against corrosion and can be a great affordable alternative to stainless steel.

Stainless Steel

This type of steel has all the basic qualities of a general wire rope and galvanized wire rope along with the additional perks of rust and corrosion resistance, making it the perfect choice for harsh and stressful weather conditions.

Coatings for a Wire Rope

Polypropylene

For severe and hazardous working conditions, polypropylene becomes the perfect choice as it is perfectly capable of protecting the wire rope from chemical leaching and corrosion. Not to mention that it is also resistant to abrasion and impact damage.

Nylon

The best coating for cold environments. It isn't as flexible as PVC but does offer better impact damage and corrosion resistance. It even offers great chemical resistance and is also available in a number of different colors.

PVC

The good thing about PVC is that it is multifunctional, pretty flexible, and doesn't cost as much as the other options. The coating operates at a temperature between -30 degrees to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

Benefits of Using Stainless Steel Wire Rope

Non-Climbability

Wire ropes can be configured with ease for the prevention of climbing. For cases with horizontal wires, the situation applies all the correct tensioning and spacing for the prevention of footholds. Vertical wires, on the other hand, cannot be climbed but don't need to be spaced in the correct manner for preventing individuals from falling from height.

Minimum Maintenance

It is a given that stainless steel requires little to no maintenance in comparison, only requiring a yearly inspection for checking the tension to make sure that there are no problems.

The material required for any kind of cleaning isn't much, as opposed to glass which attracts a lot of dirt and smudges. Glass requires high maintenance when compared with stainless steel cable for a wire rope.

Complete Transparency

A stainless steel wire rope can come in handy for making a sleek and unobtrusive one that offers a great frame for the view instead of obstructing it. Not to mention that it also allows the option of airflow and natural light.

Easy to Install

If we are talking about the weight, a stainless steel wire rope is easy to handle which makes up for the easy installation and quick completion when compared to heavier materials that are more solid.

Flexibility and Versatility

The good part about using a steel cable is that it can be configured vertically or horizontally to create a contemporary minimalist look. The wire rope can also be used for turning flexible mesh material. If you are looking for a different design possibility can be to make a green barrier, in which mesh materials or wire rope are used for supporting the climbing plants.

Longevity and Robustness

Even though stainless steel wire rope appears to be light and airy, it is actually extremely tough. Think of it like this. A marine-grade wire rope can last for about 25 years in terms of commercial installation.