The structures and specifications of wire ropes are intricate. These intricacies can become confusing when deciding what type of wire ropes you need for your specific application. However, no matter which wire ropes you choose, the foundation is all made up of four main components. Continue reading to learn more about the four main components of all wire ropes.
Cores
All wire ropes have cores, which make up the center of the rope. Cores are usually constructed with natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and steel designed to support strands. Cores provide anchors to keep strands in position while the rope experiences stress from loading and unloading. Cores are critical to improving the overall strength of wire ropes significantly.
Wire
The wire surrounding a core is usually made up of bronze wire rope, steel wire rope, stainless steel wire rope, or iron wire rope. When choosing the specific materials to construct the wire rope, engineers need to consider that material grades in different sizes deliver a range of strength for final ropes.
Strands
Two or more wires are twisted together in specific patterns to form strands. Strands usually lay around the wire in helical or spiral patterns. Wires with smaller diameters are typically more flexible than their larger counterparts. The ideal situation for a larger wire is when abrasion resistance is an essential characteristic for the desired application.
Lubrication
Lubrication is essential to wire ropes. Lubrication is critical to reduce friction as wires move across each other or against other objects. Just as your car needs oil to remain lubricated, the same is true for wire ropes. There are some common lubricants used for wire ropes, such as:
- Foams
- Minerals
- Petroleum gas
- Grease
Contact the Professionals
Silver State Wire Rope and Rigging specializes in wire rope and rigging solutions. We have several divisions, each holding expertise in a specific field, which allows us to specialize in a broad spectrum of rigging related services. Contact us for all your wire rope and rigging needs.
