Which type of wire rope is the right choice for you?
Wire rope is a strong but flexible type of rope that is formed by winding strands of wire around a central core. It is widely used in many industries, including the construction, agriculture and marine industries. However there are several types, and if you want to get the best from your wire rope, you will need to ensure you are using the best one.
Stainless steel
The standard type of wire rope is made from stainless steel. It is a very strong material that has a variety of uses. It also tends to be cheaper than other types of wire rope. However, its main advantage is that is highly resistant to corrosion, which would otherwise weaken and damage the rope. As it is resistant to salt water corrosion in particular, it is very commonly used in marine environments where it will not suffer damage from sea water. It is also resistant to extremes of temperature as well as chemical corrosion, which makes it very useful in a number of other industries.
Galvanised
This second type of wire rope is also made of steel, but the steel has been galvanised by submerging it in a zinc bath. This has the effect of increasing its anti-corrosion properties. It's true that over time the zinc coating will begin to wear off, but this will be visible as the rust starts to show through. You will therefore be able to tell the age and condition of the rope just by inspecting it — unlike a stainless steel wire rope, which will appear to be as good as new no matter how old and worn it has become.
Coated
Either of these two types of rope may be given a PVC or nylon coating for further protection. The coating can be many different colours to suit the environment. It should make the wire much more weatherproof and will also be more pleasant to the touch. However, it may not be as flexible and easy to work with as an uncoated wire. It also means that the wire cannot be inspected visually to see if it has become worn or damaged. You will therefore probably have to replace it after a certain amount of time.
Whichever wire rope you choose, you will have a strong and flexible rope which has a multitude of uses. If you are still uncertain which to get, you should talk to your supplier