Picking the wrong material of wire rope for your applications can turn a great project into a disaster. The only solution to prevent this from happening is to be aware of the various materials that steel wire ropes are made of and which ones are suited to multiple applications. Three primary materials are used to make general-purpose wire ropes: Galvanized, Stainless, and Bright Carbon Steel. Continue reading to learn about the use of each of these materials in various industries.

Galvanized Steel:

Galvanized Steel is a versatile choice for wire rope. Some key features of Galvanized Wire Rope:

• A metal made of zinc-coated carbon steel 
• Minimal resistance to corrosion
• Typically has a higher breaking strength than stainless materials
• Remains ductile over years of use
• Fairly flexible
• Primarily used in logging, rigging, hoisting, and general industrial applications. 

Stainless Steel:

Stainless Steel is a hard-wearing option for wire rope. Characteristics of Stainless Steel Wire Rope:

• A metal alloy formed of iron, chromium and sometimes metals such as nickel, and manganese
• Excellent corrosion resistance, and can even resist damage from salts and moisture
• High level of strength
• Less flexible than galvanized steel
• Used in civil engineering and specialized construction projects, such as dams
• Benefits rigging and hoisting in marine environments because of its corrosion resistance

Bright Carbon Steel:

Bright Carbon Steel is a flexible option for wire rope. Traits of Bright Carbon Steel Wire Rope:

• A carbon steel alloy
• Does not protect against corrosion unless additional lubrication of coatings is added
• High level of strength
• Very flexible
• Used in all crane hoisting, heavy industry, rigging, and general industrial applications
  
  

While picking the wrong material of wire rope for your applications can turn a project into a disaster, knowing the differences between Galvanized, Stainless, and Bright Carbon steels will ensure your applications perform to a high level!

Strandcore offers various sizes and constructions of all three materials for general purpose wire rope. To browse our extensive product range, visit https://strandcore.com/products/general-purpose-wire-rope/. Alternatively, if you have any questions, our team is happy to help! Reach out to us by email through sales@strandcore.com or by phone at 800-983-9926.