YOUR EXTENSIVE GUIDE TO STAINLESS STEEL ROPE

Stainless steel rope is manufactured from Grade 304 and 316 stainless steel. When accompanied with stainless steel wire rope fittings, wire rope applications are endless. Stainless steel material is ideal for use in corrosive environments, in particular marine and waste management. Other common applications include decorative balustrading and outdoor use.

304 Grade stainless steel rope is typically a standard grade. It has excellent resistance to corrosion, but there are limitations in higher corrosive environments. 316 Grade stainless steel rope, also known as marine grade, has a higher corrosion resistance. It is more suitable for harsher corrosive applications, such as salt water environments, food and pharmaceutical processing applications, boats, and in any coastal environment.

Wire rope
Wire rope is a collection of small strands of wire woven together in three different patterns which offer different levels of flexibility. Stainless steel rope can be used for the most demanding rigging applications, and comes in various constructions.

• 7 x 19 Stainless Steel Wire Rope consists of 7 strands each with 19 wires. It is the most common and versatile construction, and is flexible and easy to work with when the rope needs to turn corners or change direction. Commonly use is with a thimble and swage for fixed rigging applications. 7 x 19 is also used for limited working rope applications such as on a boat winch.
• 7 x 7 Stainless Steel Wire Rope consists of 7 strands each with 7 wires. It is not as flexible as 7 x 19, but can be wrapped around a thimble in smaller sizes.  7 x 7 is ideal for fixed rigging applications that require a slight angle, such as balustrading and safety barrier rail.
• 1 x 19 Stainless Steel Wire Rope consists of a single strand with 19 wires. It has a high breaking load and low stretch characteristics, but is the least flexible construction, and will not bend around corners or angles. 1 x 19 is suitable for fixed “straight line” rigging applications only, such as mast stays, guy ropes and structural applications. It is best utilised with machine swagged end fittings.

Non-rotating stainless steel rope

Non-rotating, or rotation resistant stainless steel rope is a rope of two or more layers of strands counter laid to achieve opposing torque under load and reduce the tendency of the rope to rotate under load. It is most commonly used in underground mining and crane lifting applications where the load must remain stable. It features a high breaking load, flexibility and abrasion resistance.

Stainless steel coatings

Stainless steel rope can be covered by a variety of coatings. PVC is a low cost, flexible, general purpose coating that is commonly used for applications such as guardrail, catenary systems, washing lines, abattoir wire, computer security cables, lock cable systems, and barrier ropes. Polypropylene is a more expensive coating that is harder wearing than PVC but less flexible.  Common uses include, gymnasium cables, Guardrail, catenary systems, horticultural applications, computer security cables, lock cable systems, and barrier ropes. Nylon coated stainless steel rope is a flexible, hard-wearing and abrasion-resistant. It is a superior coating ideal for running applications requiring a covered wire rope such as cannery lines, gymnasium cables, computer security cables, roller shutter cables, lock cable systems, and barrier ropes.

All Lifting supply a wide range of wire rope including stainless steel rope. Click here to view our full range of wire rope and strand, and wire rope accessories.

Have a look at the video that shows the basics of wire rope construction.