Galvanised steel wire rope is ideal for long-term outdoor use, prioritizing corrosion resistance, While Ungalvanized steel wire rope is better suited for less demanding environments where corrosion isn’t a concern. In this article, I’ll highlight the key differences, advantages, common specifications, and guide you on how to choose the right option.
What is Galvanised Steel Wire Rope and Ungalvanized Steel Wire Rope?
Galvanised Steel Wire Rope:
- A Galvanised Steel Wire Rope refers to a wire rope that has undergone a galvanization process, typically involving hot-dip galvanizing or electro-galvanizing, where a protective layer of zinc is applied to the steel wires. This zinc coating provides corrosion resistance, significantly enhancing the rope’s durability when exposed to harsh environments, especially moisture, salts, and chemicals. The coating acts as a sacrificial anode, protecting the underlying steel from rust and oxidation.
- Galvanised ropes are typically used in marine, offshore, construction, and other outdoor applications where prolonged exposure to corrosive conditions is expected. The rope’s construction can vary (e.g., 6×19, 7×19, 1×19) depending on the required flexibility, strength, and resistance to wear.
Ungalvanized Steel Wire Rope:
- Ungalvanized Steel Wire Rope refers to a wire rope made of plain steel, carbon steel, or stainless steel, without any protective coating like zinc. As such, it lacks the inherent corrosion resistance found in galvanised ropes, making it susceptible to rust and degradation in humid or corrosive environments.
- While ungalvanized ropes are often used in controlled, dry indoor environments or for applications where external corrosion is not a major concern, their limited resistance to external elements means they are not suitable for prolonged outdoor or harsh conditions unless further treatments are applied (e.g., lubrication or protective coatings). The construction of ungalvanized ropes, such as 7×7, 7×19, and 1×19, remains the same as galvanised ropes, but the lack of galvanization reduces their service life when exposed to weathering, abrasion, and chemical attack.
What Is the Difference Between Galvanised Wire Rope and Ungalvanized Wire Rope?
Corrosion Resistance:
- Galvanised ropes offer superior resistance to rust and corrosion due to the zinc coating.
- Ungalvanized ropes are more susceptible to rusting and degradation when exposed to moisture or harsh environments.
Durability and Lifespan:
- Galvanised ropes generally last longer, especially in outdoor or marine environments.
- Ungalvanized ropes wear out faster when exposed to the elements.
Wire Rope Procurement Cost：
- Galvanised ropes tend to be more expensive due to the additional coating process.
- Ungalvanized ropes are cheaper upfront but may require more maintenance and replacement over time.
Appearance:
- Galvanised ropes have a silver or greyish finish due to the zinc coating.
- Ungalvanized ropes have a natural steel color, usually a darker or rust-colored finish over time if exposed to moisture.
What Is the Most used Galvanised Steel Wire Rope Construction?
Galvanised steel wire ropes is widely used in various industries due to its corrosion resistance, especially in outdoor and harsh environments. The most common and widely used structural types in everyday applications are as follows:
7×7 Construction：
- Description: 7 strands, each containing 7 wires twisted together.
- Applications: This construction provides a good balance between strength and flexibility, making it suitable for general-purpose lifting, rigging, and hoisting applications.
- Common Industries:
- Construction: Used for lifting and hoisting heavy loads, cranes, and rigging applications.
- Marine: Employed for docking, mooring, and towing operations.
- Logistics & Transportation: Used in material handling, loading, and unloading systems
7×19 Construction：
- Description: 7 strands, each containing 19 wires twisted together, offering higher flexibility than 7×7.
- Applications: This structure is used in applications that require greater flexibility and dynamic performance, such as winching, marine applications, and elevator ropes.
- Common Industries:
- Marine: For anchor lines, mooring, towing, and other marine lifting operations.
- Construction: Frequently used for cranes and hoists where flexibility is important.
- Entertainment & Stage Rigging: For suspending heavy loads such as lighting rigs or stage equipment.
6×19 and 6×37 Construction：
- Description: 6 strands, with 19 or 37 wires per strand, offering a mix of strength, flexibility, and abrasion resistance.
- Applications: Ideal for heavy-duty lifting, hoisting, and marine applications, where high strength and durability are required.
- Common Industries:
- Marine: For mooring lines, offshore drilling, and marine cranes.
- Oil & Gas: Used on offshore platforms for lifting, rigging, and material handling.
- Construction: Heavy lifting equipment, like tower cranes and hoists.
1×19 Construction：
- Description: 1 strand with 19 wires twisted together, offering high strength and rigidity with limited flexibility.
- Applications: Typically used in rigid lifting applications where strength is more important than flexibility, such as in elevators and static hoisting.
- Common Industries:
- Construction: For high-strength applications, such as elevator cables or static hoists.
- Mining: Used in mining hoists and equipment requiring high rigidity.
What Is the Most used Ungalvanized Steel Wire Rope Construction?
The most commonly used Ungalvanized Steel Wire Rope construction is 7×19. This construction provides excellent flexibility and strength, making it ideal for applications where high flexibility is required, such as winching, marine operations, and elevator ropes. It’s widely used in environments where corrosion resistance is not a primary concern or where additional protective coatings are applied post-installation.
7×7 Class：
- Description: 7 strands, each containing 7 wires twisted together, offering a balance of strength and flexibility.
- Applications: General-purpose lifting, hoisting, and rigging in indoor or low-exposure environments, such as in factories, warehouses, and material handling.
7×19 Class：
- Description: 7 strands, each containing 19 wires twisted together, providing greater flexibility than 7×7.
- Applications: Used in winching, marine applications, elevator ropes, and dynamic lifting. Common in entertainment rigging and suspension systems.
1×19 Class:
- Description: 1 strand with 19 wires, offering high strength and rigidity, with limited flexibility.
- Applications: Static lifting, hoisting, and elevator cables, especially in construction and mining applications that require rigidity over flexibility.
6×19 Class:
- Description: 6 strands, each with 19 wires twisted together, offering a combination of strength and flexibility.
- Applications: Used for heavy-duty lifting, crane ropes, and hoisting in construction and industrial environments.
6×37 Class:
- Description: 6 strands, each with 37 wires, providing excellent flexibility and abrasion resistance.
- Applications: Common in heavy-duty applications, marine operations, winching, and rigging in construction and oil & gas industries.
8×7 Class:
- Description: 8 strands, each with 7 wires twisted together.
- Applications: Primarily used in hoisting and lifting applications where strength and medium flexibility are required. Suitable for indoor material handling and light rigging.
8×19 Class:
- Description: 8 strands, each containing 19 wires, offering good flexibility and strength.
- Applications: Used for lifting and hoisting in applications that require high flexibility and load-bearing capacity, such as elevator ropes and marine lifting.
8×37 Class:
- Description: 8 strands, each with 37 wires twisted together, providing high flexibility and strength.
- Applications: Suitable for heavy-duty lifting and dynamic loading in industrial and marine environments, such as cranes, winches, and towing operations.
How to Choose Between Galvanised and Ungalvanized Steel Wire Rope?
1.Environmental Considerations:
- If the rope will be exposed to moisture, chemicals, or extreme weather, galvanised ropes are a better choice due to their corrosion resistance.
- Ungalvanized ropes may be suitable for indoor, dry environments where rust is not a major concern.
2.Budget vs. Durability:
- Consider the cost of the rope versus how long it will last in your specific application. Galvanised ropes are an investment for long-term durability.
3.Required Strength and Flexibility:
- Depending on the application, the structure of the rope (e.g., 7×7 or 7×19) may matter more than whether it is galvanised or not.
4.Maintenance Considerations:
- Galvanised ropes require less maintenance because of their corrosion resistance.
- Ungalvanized ropes need more frequent inspection and potential replacement in corrosive environments.
Looking for a Steel Wire Rope Solution?
To explore the best steel wire rope solution for your specific requirements, visit our website or contact our experts at KNKT. Our team is ready to help you find the right solution tailored to your needs. Let us help you choose the perfect wire rope for your applications and ensure optimal performance!
