Wire Rope

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Gulf America supplies high-performance wire rope and wire rope slings designed for strength, durability, and safety in the most demanding industrial environments. From heavy-duty lifting applications to custom-engineered assemblies, our wire rope products meet rigorous standards for oil & gas, marine, construction, and manufacturing operations. With a wide selection of sizes, configurations, and end fittings, we deliver reliable wire rope solutions built to perform when it matters most.

The three basic components of a typical wire rope are the individual wires, which form strands; the strands themselves, which are twisted together; and the core, which provides support and maintains the rope’s shape.

COMPONENTS: Wire rope consists of three basic components.

  1. Wires
  2. Strands (formed by wires, laid helically around a core)
  3. Core (or center)

MATERIAL: Steel grades in wide use today are IPS (improved plow steel), EIPS (extra improved plow steel), sometimes also referred to as XIPS, XIP, or EIP, as well as EEIPS (extra, extra improved plow steel).
CORE: Its function is to provide proper support for the strands under normal conditions. Three types of core (or center)
are commonly used.

  1. Fiber Core (F.C.), usually polypropylene (P.C.), sometimes hemp (H.C.) and sisal.
  2. Independent Wire Rope Core (IWRC)
  3. Wire Strand Core (WSC)

IWRC and WSC are sometimes referred to as steel wire core or steel center.

CONSTRUCTION: Expressed in numbers of strands x number of wires. 6 x 25 indicates that the wire rope consists of 6 strands, which in turn have 25 individual wires.

Constructions are grouped into classes:

6 x 7 Class: Containing 6 strands that are made up of 3 through 14 wires, of which no more than 9 are outside wires.

6 x 19 Class: Containing 6 strands that are made up of 15 through 26 wires, of which no more than 12 are outside wires.

6 x 36 Class: Containing 6 strands that are made up of 27 through 49 wires, of which no more than 18 are outside wires.

8 x 19 Class: Containing 8 strands that are made up of 15 through 26 wires, of which no more than 12 are outside wires.

19 x 7 Class: Containing 19 strands, each of which is made up of 7 wires.

8 x 19 and 19 x 7 class wire ropes have rotation-resistant properties, excluding elevator ropes.

The constructions listed above are just some of the more popular constructions.

Other common constructions: 7 x 7, 7 x 19: Galvanized cable. Sometimes referred to as “aircraft cable” but not intended for aircraft use. 1 x 7, 1 x 19: Strand 7 x 7 x 7, 7 x 7 x 19: Cable Laid

Many others exist, some for highly specialized applications only.

Note that any class denotes the nominal number of wires in each strand. The actual number of wires may be different. For example 6 x 36 class: strands most commonly consist of 36 wires, or 31, or 41.

Proper Handling Of Wire Rope

MEASURING OF WIRE ROPE

How to measure (or caliper) a wire rope correctly. Since the “true” diameter (A) lies within the circumscribed circle, always measure the larger dimension (B). Actual diameter can be 5% larger than nominal wire rope diameter.

RECEIVING AND STORING WIRE ROPE

Make certain that the wire rope received is the one that was ordered. Check for obvious damage to wire rope and reel. Store wire rope away from heat, moisture and other corrosive agents. This means storing under a weatherproof cover, off the ground, preferably in a dry, cool, well ventilated warehouse. If wire rope has to be kept outdoors, cover it with a coating of protective wire rope lubricant and cover both wire rope and reel with waterproof material. Keep it well off the ground. Careful inspection after extended storage is of utmost importance.

UNREELING OR UNCOILING WIRE ROPE

Great care must be taken when removing wire rope from reels or coils. Looping the rope over the flange of the reel or pulling the rope off a coil while it is lying on the ground will create loops in the line. If these loops are pulled tight, kinks will result, thereby permanently damaging the wire rope. Check illustrations below showing correct and incorrect ways of unreeling and uncoiling wire rope.

Whenever handling wire rope, take care not to drop reels or coils. This can damage wire rope and collapse the reel, making removal of the wire rope extremely difficult if not impossible.

RE-REELING WIRE ROPE

When reeling wire rope from one reel to another it is preferable for the wire rope to travel from top to top, as illustrated. Spooling from bottom to bottom is also acceptable, provided the surface over which the wire rope will travel is clean, smooth and dry, so as not to allow foreign particles to become embedded in the wire rope. Spooling from top to bottom or from bottom to top can put a reverse bend into wire rope and must be avoided. When stringing up on machinery wire rope should be removed from the reel in the same direction as placed on the drum.

CUTTING & SEIZING WIRE ROPE

There are numerous ways to cut wire rope – use only appropriate tools specifically designed to cut wire rope. Safety goggles and work gloves must always be worn. Observe other precautions peculiar to the tools used. Wire rope should be properly seized on both sides of the cut with wire or strand. Seizing wire diameter and the number and length of the seizings will depend on the diameter of the wire rope, and whether or not it is preformed.

BREAKING IN NEW WIRE ROPE

Since wire rope is a machine with many moving parts, it requires careful installation and breaking in procedures for maximum safety and long service life. After proper installation, allow the wire rope to run through a cycle of operation at a very low speed. Keep a close watch on the wire rope, its attachments and any working parts such as sheaves, drums, rollers, etc. to make certain that the wire rope runs freely.

If no problems appear at this stage, run the wire rope through several cycles of operation under light load at reduced speed. This procedure allows the component parts of the new rope to make a gradual adjustment to the actual operating conditions.

WIRE ROPE EFFICIENCY

Wire rope will develop 100% efficiency, that is, break at or above minimum acceptance strength (not less than 2 1/2% below nominal breaking strength) under controlled laboratory conditions. Once fittings such as sleeves, clips, sockets, etc. are attached and/or the wire rope passes over a curved surface such as sheaves, pins, etc. its strength is decreased. In the case of wire rope passing over a curved surface this decrease in strength depends on the severity of the bend.

In the case of wire rope fittings, the decrease in wire rope strength will depend on the type of fittings used. The wire rope efficiency usually ranges from 70% – 100%. For more detailed information consult the strength efficiency of wire rope table on page 86. Note, that hand spliced wire rope, while not using any fittings, has less efficiency than properly flemished and swaged wire rope.

There are other factors, depending on the application of wire rope, that can cause a decrease in nominal wire rope strength. They must be considered when choosing a design factor. Refer to the Wire Rope Users Manual and/or other qualified sources for details.

ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF WIRE ROPE

Wire rope is an elastic member; it stretches or elongates under load. This elongation can be permanent or recoverable. The extent of elongation will depend on the wire rope used and the design factor chosen. While it may be acceptable for many wire rope uses to neglect its elastic properties, they are of critical importance for some uses. When in doubt about the importance of wire rope elongation consult professional help. Pre-stretching wire rope will only remove some of the constructional stretch and will not totally eliminate elongation under load.

WINDING WIRE ROPE ON DRUMS

Installation of wire rope on a plain or grooved drum requires a great deal of care. Make certain the wire rope is properly attached to the drum. Keep adequate tension on the wire rope as it is wound onto the drum. Guide each wrap as close to the preceding wrap as possible, or follow the groove in case of a grooved drum. No blanket recommendations can be given concerning direction of winding, desirable drum diameter, fleet angle, etc. Consult the Wire Rope Users Manual for this and other important technical information.

WIRE ROPE SLINGS

Refer to ASME standard B30.9 and OSHA standard 1910.184 for design factors and other important information. Other standards and information may apply.

Bright Wire Rope

Galvanized Wire Rope

Galvanized Steel Cable

Stainless Steel Wire Rope

Rotation & Spin Resistant Wire Rope

Rotation Resistant Compacted Strand Wire Rope

Powerflex 35

Comprehensive Wire Rope, Rigging, Equipment Rentals & Hose Services

Louisiana's Most Trusted Lifting Solutions

Gulf America delivers premier wire rope, slings, rigging, equipment rentals and hose, trusted for excellence in Louisiana's lifting industry.

  • Rigging & Services

    Gulf America offers high-quality wire rope, chain, and synthetic slings. Also, in-house load testing, NDT inspections and on-site pad eye pull testing.

  • Rigging Equipment

    Gulf America delivers top-quality rigging hardware and supplies, offering reliable and safe solutions for industrial rigging and lifting applications across.

  • Rental Equipment

    Gulf America provides well-maintained rental equipment for industrial projects of all sizes.

  • Hose & Supplies

    Gulf America is a leader in custom industrial hose, fittings and industrial supplies.

Durable Rigging Equipment & Hardware

High-Quality Rigging Hardware for Safe and Efficient Lifting

At Gulf America, we provide reliable rigging hardware such as chains, shackles, eye bolts, and swivel hoist rings, designed for secure and efficient lifting.

  • Chain

    Available in different grades, chains are used in heavy lifting and securing applications, offering strength and durability for a variety of rigging tasks.

  • Chain Hooks

    Chain hooks are designed for attaching a chain to a load or anchor point, offering secure and easy connections in lifting and rigging applications.

  • Eye Bolts & Pad Eyes

    Eye bolts and pad eyes are used as anchor points for securing rigging systems. Eye bolts feature a loop for attaching hooks or slings, pad eyes attach to the equipment.

  • Hooks

    Hooks are used in rigging to connect various components, such as slings, chains, or hoists, to a load. Available in a range of sizes, including latch hooks, ensuring secure connections during lifting.

  • Master Links

    Master links are used to connect multiple lifting components together in a rigging system, such as chains and slings. Master links provide a central connection point for distributing weight.

  • Shackles

    Shackles are U-shaped devices with a pin or bolt used to connect rigging components such as chains, slings, and other lifting hardware. Available in various types, including screw pin and bolt types.

  • Snatch Blocks

    Snatch blocks are pulleys designed for use with cables or ropes in rigging applications. They allow you to change the direction of a line or increase lifting capacity by reducing the load on the hoist.

  • Sockets

    Sockets are used to attach wire ropes to rigging hardware, ensuring secure and efficient transfer of force.

  • Swivel Hoist Rings

    Swivel hoist rings are designed to rotate, allowing for multi-directional lifting without twisting the lifting device. They offer flexibility and ensure that loads are lifted safely and at the correct angle.

  • Swivels

    Swivels allow rigging components to rotate freely without twisting, making them ideal for applications requiring flexibility and movement. They reduce the risk of equipment damage.

  • Thimbles

    Thimbles are used in wire rope rigging to protect the rope from wear and tear. They help maintain the shape of the rope loop, enhancing the longevity and safety of the rigging system.

  • Turnbuckles

    Turnbuckles are adjustable devices used to tighten or loosen tension in cables or ropes. They provide precise control over the tension of a rigging system, ensuring secure load management.

  • Wire Rope Clips

    Wire rope clips are used to secure the ends of wire ropes, forming a loop or securing the rope to a rigging system. They are essential for ensuring proper tension and safety in wire rope assemblies.

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Most Trusted In Louisiana For Wire Rope

Hear From Our Satisfied Customers

At Gulf America, our clients’ success drives us. Read what our valued customers say about our top-quality wire rope, slings, rigging, equipment rentals and hose solutions, trusted across Louisiana for reliability and excellence.

  • They have an impressive selection of rigging hardware, and their staff really knows their stuff. Highly recommend for industrial lifting needs.

  • I’ve been in the industry for years, and Gulf America stands out for their commitment to quality and reliability. You can count on their team to get the job done.

  • Fast turnaround and excellent customer service. They went above and beyond to make sure my slings were inspected and tested in time for our load out.

  • As a longtime customer, I can confidently say their wire ropes and slings are built to last. Wouldn’t go anywhere else for lifting solutions!

  • Their industrial hose and supply department is outstanding. They had exactly what I needed for my hydraulic system, and the quality was top-notch.

  • The inspection and testing services here are thorough and reliable. They made sure our slings and lifting gear were fully compliant and safe for a job that was new to our company. Couldn't have done it without their help.

  • Gulf America Wire provides top-notch products that hold up in the toughest conditions. Their knowledge is second to none!

  • Gulf America treats employees like family. Great pay, benefits, and a safe work environment.

  • I recently started working at Gulf America, and the company culture is great. They truly care about their employees and offer solid career growth.