Strands of wire rope consist of two or more wires arranged and twisted in a specific arrangement. The individual strands are then laid in a helical pattern around the core of the rope. Strands made of larger diameter wires are more resistant to abrasion, while strands made of smaller diameter wires are more flexible.

The three components of a wire rope include wires, strands, and the core.

Classifications are identified by the number of strands and nominal number of wires. The actual number of wires must fall within a range specified for the given class. For example, ropes within the 6 x 19 class contain 6 strands made up of 15 through 26 wires of which no more than 12 are outside wire.

There are three main types namely, stainless steel, galvanized, and coated wire rope.

• Stainless steel. Stainless steel is the standard alloy utilized in rope and cable.
• Galvanized wire rope.
• Coated wire rope.

Lay Length of Wire Rope. The length of a rope lay is the distance measured parallel to the center line of a wire rope in which a strand makes one complete spiral or turn around the rope.

Dyneema is the world’s strongest fiber producing ropes that are 15 times stronger than steel wire ropes of the same weight and has become one the most trusted fiber ropes over generic HMPE ropes and steel cable wire ropes for all rigging, maritime, mooring, and towing rope applications.

IWRC= independent wire rope core 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.

Factors for Selecting the Appropriate Wire Rope

1. Strength.
2. Resistance to fatigue.
3. Bend ability.
4. Resistance to crushing.
5. Resistance to Metal Loss & Deformation.
6. Resistance to Rotation.
7. Corrosion Resistance.

° In running wire ropes: six randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay or three broken wires in one strand in one rope lay, where a rope lay is the length along the rope in which one strand makes a complete revolution around the rope.

How many times the diameter of a wire rope is one lay length? In general, lay lengths in the range of 12 – 15 times the outer diameter are used for tighter tolerance and geometric pattern control.

Braided rope is stronger and is nicer on the hands than twisted rope, but it’s a pain to splice yourself. This means if you’re using a windlass and chain, and you are doing your own splicing, you’ll probably need to use twisted rope.

The 6X19 & 6X36 classification of wire ropes is good for fatigue resistance and to withstand abrasion or crushing on the drum. 6 x 25FW (Filler Wire) – To most wire rope users, 6 x 19 means 6 x 25 filler wire. It is a common rope in the 6 x 19 classification.

Wire rope can be constructed using one of the following patterns, or can be constructed using two or more of the patterns below. Single Layer – The most common example is a 7 wire strand with a single-wire center and six wires of the same diameter around it.

The number of rope strands and rope strand construction determine the classification of a wire rope. Strands are basic building blocks. A strand consists of a “center” which supports a specified number of wires around it in one or more layers.

All ropes of the same size and wire grade in each classification have the SAME strength and weight ratings, and usually the same pricing. Ropes within each classification may differ in working characteristics such as abrasion and fatigue resistance. What is sometimes called the “Single Layer Principle” is the basis for this strand construction.

And the third is the linear, or straight-line, distance a strand travels while making a single revolution around the core of the wire rope. This is known as the lay length.