The most commonly overlooked feature when choosing Wire Rope, Cable, or Strand is the material. While the emphasis on sizes and construction is important to your application, picking the right material is also detrimental to the success of your Wire Rope, Cable, or Strand products. Materials for these products come in various material options: Galvanized Steel, 302/304 Stainless Steel, 316 Stainless Steel, Bright Basics, IPS, EIPS, EEIPS, and Phos Bronze. Here is a brief outline of each materials and some of their unique properties.
Galvanized Steel:
Galvanized Steel is a process where Carbon Steel is coated in zinc. The metal remains ductile over long periods of use and typically has a higher breaking strength than stainless materials. Galvanized Steel offers minimal corrosion resistance due to its zinc coating. The metal is primarily used in logging, rigging, hoisting, and general industrial applications.
302/304 Stainless Steel:
Stainless Steel is a metal alloy formed of iron, chromium and sometimes metals such as nickel and manganese. 302/304 are the most common grades of stainless steel. The 302/304 grades provide a high level of corrosion resistance, making it perfect for various industries such as marine rigging and hoisting.
316 Stainless Steel:
316 Stainless Steel has excellent corrosion resistance. This grade of steel is widely used in both medical and food preparation industries.
Bright Basics:
Bright Basics is a carbon steel alloy. This material does not protect against corrosion until a lubrication coat is added. The material has a high strength level, and is ideal for a wide variety of industrial and commercial uses.
IPS, EIPS, EEIPS:
IPS is defined as Improved Plow Steel, EIPS is Extra Improved Plow Steel, while EEIPS is Extra Extra Improved Plow Steel. These steel materials have high tensile strength and are very resistant to wear.
Phos Bronze:
Phos Bronze is a brass alloy that is tin coated. Phos Bronze is commonly used in the electrical industry.
If you are interested in learning more about these materials, check out Strand Core’s Material Guide here. Alongside the materials mentioned above, Strand Core also can offer many other material grade options for your Wire Rope, Cable, or Strand such as Nickel, Copper, Brass, Inconel and Monel through our parent company, CWI. Alternatively, if you want to check out our Wire Rope, Cable and Strand in various constructions, materials, and sizes, visit our website. 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.