Wire rope is a key component in the marine industry as it is used in so many different applications. Whether its dock railings, winch cables, crane ropes, sailboat rigging, or more, wire rope is a main product. In today’s blog we will be looking at some things to look for when you buy wire rope. Three factors to look for include material, construction, and size.

Material:

As salt water and fresh water are a common part of the marine industry, you need to choose a material for wire rope that will have corrosion properties. The wire rope material we recommended for marine applications is stainless steel. Stainless steel is the ideal material as it has exceptional corrosion resistance and certain grades (316) will be able to withstand salt water. Stainless steel also is very strong and shiny, giving your marine wire rope an aesthetically pleasing look.

Construction:

The construction of your wire rope makes a big difference in the flexibility of your product. Rather than just looking specifically for wire rope, we recommend strand aid aircraft cable options too for the marine industry. 1x19 strand is excellent for railings and waterfront architectural application as it has a smooth outside with excellent strength and resistance to compressive forces. 7x7 cable is also a great option when moderate flexibility and strength is what you desire for your application. This type of cable mostly used in sailboat running rigging, boat lift winches, lifeline, and other single line hoisting operations. 6x19 wire rope has high flexibility, making this the perfect construction for marine towing and marine crane operations.

Size:

We recommend that when buying wire rope, you go with a company that offers multiple sizes so that you are able to get the exact side for both big and small applications. Our sizes of wire rope range from 3/32” to 5/8”.

Now that you have an understanding of the important considerations when buying marine wire rope, it is crucial to pick a company that can meet these capabilities and exceed competitors with high-quality wire rope. Strand Core offers a variety of marine products with strand, cable, and wire rope offered in stainless steel. If you would like to learn more about our marine products, check out our product page here. Alternatively, if you have any questions, reach out to us by email through sales@strandcore.com or by phone at 800-983-9926.