Important Factors for Choosing Wire Rope

Wire rope

Many important factors must be considered when choosing the right wire rope for your application. Many industries utilize wire rope, nylon slings, and other rigging equipment, such as aircraft cable and bridges. The crane wire rope you choose will depend on your load limit and needs. All ropes will feature design tradeoffs.

When choosing the best wire rope, consider the following:

· Fatigue Resistance - Ropes with high fatigue resistance will have wires that are capable of repeated bending under stress. When constructing the rope, a large number of wires are used to increase fatigue resistance. All rope is susceptible to fatigue from bending stress so if you will be experiencing excessive bending, choose a rope with a high fatigue resistance.

· Resistance to Rotation - Wire ropes are designed to handle load-induced torque as this is a normal side effect of daily operations. However, torque can cause single and multiple part hoisting systems to rotate. You can decrease this issue by choosing a rope with high resistance to rotation.

· Strength - This is one of the most significant factors to consider when choosing a wire rope for your application. Wire rope strength is determined using the minimum breaking force (MBF). The strength of a rope is tested using a tensile machine. When choosing a crane wire rope for your application, never choose one that will operate at or near its MBF.

· Crushing Resistance - Crushing refers to the effect external pressure has on a rope. Crushing can distort the cross-section shape of a rope causing damage. Ropes with high resistance to crushing can withstand external forces. 

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