Wire Rope
Wire rope comes in several different constructions and used in various applications. The most common wire ropes on the market would be 6x19 FC (Fiber Core) or IWRC (Independent Wire Rope Core) which is a steel core classification and 6x37 FC or IWRC classifications. If you require rotation-resistant ropes, the more common types would be 19x7, 18x19 and 35x7 depending on the application at hand.
Over the past 15-20 years, compact strands and other high performance wire ropes have become increasingly popular, not to mention the plastic impregnated cores or plastic filled valley or fully plasticized wire rope options as they help protect and improve the life cycle cost of the product as long as they are right for your application.
The grade of the wire rope varies also; for example, the following types of rope are still on the market: IPS (Improve Plow Steel), EIPS (Extra Improved Plow Steel), EEIPS (Extra Extra Improved Plow Steel) and even EEEIPS (Extra Extra Extra Improved Plow Steel).
The following industries commonly use wire rope in their day-to-day operations: general construction and contracting, water main and sewer work and repair, open pit mining, underground mining, aggregate mining, steel mills, shaft sinking, oil and gas industries, engineering, crane rental, tower cranes, rail industry, steel erection, machinery movers, tow trucks and roll off truck as well as machine shops and automotive car stamping plants, communication towers, suspension bridge construction, concrete and drilling. Over the past few years, we have also seen an increase in requests for supply in the building of zip lines which is interesting, but it is important to make sure they are designed and built by a competent and responsible person.