Wire Rope Key Terms

Learn about wire rope terminology to help you make better business choices

A wire rope consists of several smaller wires that are fabricated to move or operate at close tolerances to one another. Steel wire ropes have taken over iron wire ropes in today’s industry.

The main components of a wire rope are the wires, strands and the core. Most wire ropes are available without coats, but some applications may require galvanized or synthetic coating on the rope’s surface.

This guide will acquaint you with wire rope related terminology, such as wire rope slings, preformed wire rope, kink and rotation resistant rope.

 

Wire rope slings

A wire rope sling constitutes a strong, safe and economical option for lifting applications. Slings made of wire rope have applications in the material handling industry. Wire rope slings can be mechanical slings, cable laid slings, tri-flex slings or hand-tucked splice slings.
Try: You can learn about wire rope slings, their capacities and usage instructions at Safety Sling, a manufacturer of overhead lifting equipment.

TC 105

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) issues standards for various industrial products, including steel wire ropes. TC 105 is a technical committee that oversees standardization of steel wire ropes, slings and terminations.
Try: Learn more about TC 105 at ISO’s Web site.                  

Rotation resistant ropes

A rotation resistant rope consists of an inner layer of strand laid in one direction and another layer over it in the opposite direction. This rope is effective for reducing torque.
Try: You can find more information on rotation resistant ropes at MacWhyte (PDF), a provider of fabricated wire rope solutions.                                                                                            

Kink

Kink is a sharp bend in a wire rope that permanently distorts the strands and wires. When you pull a loop through, it may result in a kink in the wire rope.
Try: To get more information on kink formation, read through information at Invention Factory, an online knowledge resource.

Lang lay ropes

A lang lay rope is a wire rope in which the wires in the strands are laid in the same direction as that of the strands in the rope.
Try: You can learn more about lang lay ropes at Midco Companies, a manufacturer of wire ropes.

Preformed wire ropes

Preformed wire ropes have strands that are pre-shaped so that these strands conform to the curvatures for final applications. These strands are then fit together to make the wire rope. Pre-forming eliminates the stress from the wire rope, resists kinking and assists in easier splicing.
Try: You can get more information about preformed wire ropes at J. Henry Holland Corp., a manufacturer of rigging and lifting equipment.

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