In the field of construction, what are the differences in the application of steel wire ropes of different specifications?

In the field of construction, the specifications of steel wire ropes are usually determined by its diameter, structure (such as 6×19, 6×37, etc., the first number indicates the number of strands, and the latter number indicates the number of steel wires per share), strength grade and other parameters. There are the following differences in application of steel wire ropes of different specifications:

Carrying capacity

Generally speaking, the larger the diameter, the greater the number of strands, and the greater the number of steel wires, the stronger the load-bearing capacity. For example, when large tower cranes are used to lift heavy building components, wire ropes with larger diameters and structures of 6×37 are often used because they can bear the weight of tens or even hundreds of tons; while in some light construction equipment or when used to fix lighter objects, 6×19 wire ropes with smaller diameters and simple structures can be used. Their load-bearing capacity is relatively small, but it is sufficient to meet the needs of light operations.

Wire ropes with higher strength levels have greater load-bearing capacity than those with lower strength levels. High-strength steel wire ropes are often used in building structures with strict load-bearing requirements, such as the stay cables of cable-stayed bridges and the main cables of suspension bridges. These parts need to withstand large tensile forces. Only high-strength steel wire ropes can ensure the safety and stability of the structure.

Flexibility

With the same structure, a wire rope with a smaller diameter has better flexibility. For example, in some situations that require frequent bending and winding, such as the traction system of a building elevator, a relatively thin and flexible wire rope is usually used. This allows the wire rope to move smoothly between the pulley and the drum, reducing wear and energy loss, and can also better adapt to various actions during the operation of the elevator.

The number of strands is the same, and the more wires per strand, the more flexible the wire rope will be. The 6×37 structure steel wire rope has more steel wires per share than the 6×19 structure steel wire rope, and is relatively more flexible. It is more suitable for use in some hoisting situations that require a certain degree of flexibility. For example, when lifting some irregularly shaped or fragile items, it can better adapt to the shape of the object and the swing during the lifting process.

Wear resistance

Wire ropes with larger diameters and thicker wires generally have better wear resistance. On the material hoist at the construction site, since the wire rope needs to frequently rub against pulleys, guide rails and other components, using a wire rope with a larger diameter and good wear resistance can extend its service life, reduce the frequency of replacement, and reduce maintenance costs.

The wear resistance and corrosion resistance of steel wire ropes that have undergone special surface treatment (such as galvanizing, copper plating, etc.) will be further improved. In some harsh construction environments, such as humid basements, industrial plants with corrosive media, etc., the use of surface-treated wire ropes can better resist wear and corrosion, ensuring the performance and safety of the wire ropes.

Application scenarios

Large-diameter, high-strength steel wire ropes are mainly used in large-scale construction hoisting equipment, main cables and stay cables in bridge construction, and other occasions that require high load-bearing capacity.

Medium-sized steel wire ropes are often used for material lifting, scaffolding tie-downs, and building curtain wall support in general construction. They can not only meet certain load-bearing requirements, but also have good economy and practicality.

Small-diameter, flexible steel wire ropes are more commonly used in building elevators, small hoisting equipment, and some occasions that require precise operations, such as in building decoration projects for hoisting light decorative components.