Wire Rope
Wire rope is generally composed of wires, strands and core.
Wire rope varies:
• By Diameter
• The Grade of Steel
Wire rope may be manufactured from many grades and types of steel and alloys. Some of the more common grades are as follows:
IPS (1770 Grade) – Improved Plow Steel
EIPS (1960 Grade) – Extra Improved Plow Steel
EEIPS (2160 Grade) – Extra Extra Improved Plow Steel
• Rope Lay
The “Lay” of the wire rope directly affects the operating properties.
The two most common types are:
1. Ordinary (or Regular) Lay
In Ordinary Lay wire rope, the direction of the wires is twisted in an opposite direction than the direction of the strands. Ordinary Lay may be Right Ordinary Lay or Left Ordinary Lay
Therefore,
Right Hand Ordinary Lay (or Right Hand Regular Lay) = RHOL (or RHRL) = Z Lay
Left Hand Ordinary Lay (or Left Hand Regular Lay) = LHOL (or LHRL) = S Lay
2. Lang Lay
In Lang Lay wire rope the direction of the wires are twisted in the same direction as the strands. Lang Lay may be Right Lang Lay or Left Lang Lay depending upon the direction of the strands.
The wires of an ordinary lay wire rope seem to travel parallel and along the length of the rope while those of a lang lay rope appear to travel around the rope.
• The Finish on The Wire
Most wire rope has an ungalvanised or galvanised finish. In addition, many wire ropes are stainless steel, or plastic/vinyl/urethane coated.
• The Core Material
The core is the central member about which the main strands are laid. Its main purpose is to provide support to the outer strands. Most wire ropes are supplied with either a fiber or steel core.
Fiber Cores – Natural Fiber Core or Synthetic Fiber Core (FC)
Steel cores – Independent Wire Rope Core (IWRC) or Wire Strand Core (WSC)
These steel cores provide more support than fiber cores to the outer strands. Steel cores resist crushing, are more resistant to heat, reduce the amount of stretch, and increase the strength of the rope.
• Wire Rope Construction
There are hundreds of wire rope constructions; some of the more common arrangements are as follows:
|
Wire Rope |
Construction |
Application |
|
6 x 19S IWRC |
 |
General Purpose Crane Duties Hoist Duties
|
|
6 x 25Fi IWRC |
 |
General Purpose Logging Crane Duties Hoist Duties |
|
6 x 29Fi IWRC |
 |
General Purpose Lifting Crane Duties Hoist Duties |
|
6 x 36(WS) IWRC |
 |
General Purpose Lifting Crane Duties Hoist Duties |
|
18 x 7 WSC / 19 x 7 |
 |
Crane Duties Hoist Duties
|
|
8 x 19 |
 |
Elevator
|