When it comes to lifting and supporting heavy loads safely and efficiently, wire rope is the preferred choice for lifting applications in many industries. Its design offers strength, flexibility and the ability to handle high bending stresses. Wire rope is a mainstay in the construction, lifting, mining, manufacturing and transportation industries.

The history of wire rope

The use of wire rope dates to the early 1830s, when engineer Wilhelm Albert created it for mining hoist operations in the Harz Mountains of Germany. Improving upon earlier wrought iron chains and hemp ropes, Albert’s design consisted of three strands containing four wires each. The exceptional strength made wire rope perfect for lifting and hoisting cranes and elevators, and it quickly caught on.

Further technological development led to wire rope being adopted for other uses. It proved an excellent choice in supporting suspension bridges and aerial tramways and, by the end of the 19th century, was increasingly used to transmit mechanical power and provide structural reinforcement.

Today, wire rope’s strength and versatility are utilised in a wide variety of ways. Cranes and hoists, elevators, mining equipment, conveyor belts, suspension bridges and towers – even planes, trains and automobiles – all rely on wire rope.

Wire rope is surprisingly complex

You might think of wire rope as a fairly simple product, but it’s actually quite complex. Several strands of metal wire are braided together into a helix shape surrounding a core. A typical 6x25 wire rope measures greater than ? inches in diameter and contains 150 wires in its outer strands; these all move independently of one another and continue to move and adjust when the rope bends. This provides the strength and flexibility needed to support, lift and move heavy objects.

Wire rope was once predominantly made of iron, but these days, it’s most likely made of steel, stainless steel, or galvanised steel. Copper, bronze, aluminum, titanium and nickel alloy might also be used.

There are alternatives to wire rope, and while each has benefits, there are drawbacks, as well. Metal chains are strong enough to handle heavy loads but tend to have a shorter service life. If one link in the chain breaks, the entire chain can no longer be used. They also weigh more and are less adaptable than wire rope, which comes in a large variety of shapes and sizes and can accommodate different types of lifting equipment for use in a larger number of applications.

Synthetic rope products have emerged in recent years. They are a lightweight alternative to wire rope and more resistant to corrosion but, because the technology is new, don’t yet have a proven track record. Synthetic rope is subject to certain temperature restrictions and is more prone to cutting or damage than wire rope. It can, and has, been used successfully in crawler crane and other lifting applications, but has proven more challenging in mobile cranes, which require a more precise balance between breaking load and weight.

5 factors to consider when purchasing wire rope

Choosing a wire rope supplier requires a little bit of homework on your part. As rugged and durable as wire rope is, you want to be sure to select a supplier with a quality product that doesn’t cut corners. Here are a few things to consider:

This post was written by casar.de, a wire rope manufacturer offering global customers precision-engineered products since 1948.

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