Wire Rope & Steel Cable
Wire rope is selected by matching the cable construction to the job it needs to do. A rope used on a crane line may need different handling, strength, and crush resistance than cable used for railing, fencing, winching, or general tie-down work. Fasteners Plus carries wire rope and steel cable for rigging, lifting, pulling, support, marine, construction, agricultural, and industrial applications.
Available options include bright steel, galvanized, stainless steel, vinyl-coated cable, aircraft cable, and rotation-resistant wire rope. Many selections are available by the foot or in full coils, with custom wire rope assemblies available when your job requires specific end fittings, lengths, or configurations.
Understanding Wire Rope Construction
Wire rope is made from individual wires that are formed into strands, then wrapped around a center core. The number of strands, the number of wires in each strand, and the type of core all affect how the rope handles under load.
As a general rule, wire rope with more wires per strand is more flexible and better suited for repeated bending. Wire rope with fewer, larger wires usually provides better abrasion resistance and is often preferred where the rope may drag, rub, or see rough contact.
IWRC vs. Fiber Core Wire Rope
The core sits at the center of the rope and supports the outer strands. An IWRC, or Independent Wire Rope Core, is made from steel and provides better crush resistance, strength, and stability under heavier loads. This makes IWRC wire rope a common choice for cranes, hoists, winches, and heavy-duty rigging.
A fiber core is made from natural or synthetic fibers. Fiber core wire rope is typically more flexible and easier to handle, but it does not provide the same crush resistance as a steel core and is not usually the best option for high-heat or high-pressure applications.
Common Wire Rope Classes
Wire rope class gives a quick indication of strand and wire count. It does not always describe the exact construction, but it helps compare flexibility, fatigue resistance, and abrasion resistance across different rope families.
How to Pick the Right Wire Rope
The best wire rope for your application depends on how the rope will be loaded, how often it will bend, where it will be used, and what hardware will be installed with it. Before choosing a cable, compare the following factors.
Diameter
Wire rope diameter is measured across the widest point of the rope. Larger diameters generally provide higher breaking strength, but they also require properly matched fittings, clips, thimbles, sleeves, sheaves, and other hardware.
Material Grade
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IPS: Improved Plow Steel is commonly used in lighter steel cable and aircraft cable constructions.
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EIPS: Extra Improved Plow Steel provides greater tensile strength than IPS and is widely used for heavy-duty non-stainless wire rope.
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Type 304 Stainless Steel: A strong corrosion-resistant option for outdoor, architectural, commercial, and general industrial applications.
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Type 316 Stainless Steel: A marine-grade stainless option with added corrosion resistance for saltwater, coastal, chemical, and highly corrosive environments.
Finish
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Bright Steel: Uncoated steel wire rope with lubrication for reduced internal friction. Best for dry or controlled environments.
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Galvanized: Zinc-coated wire rope that provides better protection against moisture and outdoor exposure.
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Vinyl Coated: Steel cable with an added outer coating for surface protection, improved handling, and certain railing or light-duty applications.
Lay Direction
Lay describes the direction the wires and strands are wrapped. Right regular lay is one of the most common options and is used in many general-purpose wire rope applications because it offers stable handling and helps reduce kinking when properly installed.
Wire Rope, Steel Cable & Aircraft Cable
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they usually describe different size ranges and uses. Steel cable and aircraft cable generally refer to smaller-diameter cable used for railing, fencing, controls, winching, and lighter-duty applications. Wire rope is commonly used to describe larger-diameter rope used for lifting, hoisting, rigging, suspension, and heavy pulling applications.
Complete Your Wire Rope Setup
Fasteners Plus carries compatible rigging hardware and wire rope fittings, including turnbuckles, shackles, wire rope thimbles, wire rope clips, wire rope sleeves and stops, and wire rope slings.
Need Help Choosing?
If you are comparing wire rope sizes, finishes, cores, or fittings, our product specialists can help you find the right cable and compatible hardware for your application.
