Galvanised steel and stainless steel wire rope are
the two most popular materials for steel rope. From fine wire cables to robust
crane ropes, each type delivers a variety of advantages. To better understand
the strength, durability and safety wire ropes provide, we've detailed the main
differences between galvanised and stainless steel below.
Ideal for a wide range of applications,
stainless steel wire ropes combines superb strength with a long lifespan —
under the most extreme conditions. Stainless steel also provides high corrosion
resistance as it's treated with chromium, meaning even in the offshore sector,
where harmful, salty conditions are present. The inclusion of chromium also
plays a vital role in making stainless steel a great choice with fire
resistance and fire prevention in mind. Overall, stainless steel provides a
high level of resistance to general corrosion and can offer safe operation in
both wet and dry conditions.
Galvanised steel has been dipped in a zinc
coating, delivering good corrosion-resistant qualities. That said, galvanised
steel rope is weaker and more cost-effective because it does not include
chromium. For example, in harsh, wet and salty marine conditions, the galvanised
cable will rust, whilst it's trickier to weld galvanised steel.
Galvanised steel cable is often found in
industrial applications, however, once the protective zinc coating has worn
away, rust will come into play and give the user a good indication of the
quality, condition and age of the wire rope. Also known as 'hot dipped' wire
ropes, galvanised steel is most common in working environments where fire is
present or high levels of humidity or moisture, that may lead to rust.
Stainless steel wire rope is undoubtedly
the stronger of the two, however, you may not necessarily need a rope that is
impermeable to saltwater and more corrosion resistant. Galvanised steel may be
cheaper, but you still get a high level of corrosion resistance thanks to the
zinc coating. It's important to remember that no single wire rope can do it
all. Every application is unique, so you need to pay careful attention to the
following
If you'd like to learn more or wish to discuss your needs with our team, please call us on 01384 78004. We produce various rope assemblies on a daily basis, however, some of the most common types include trailer ropes, rigging, lifting slings, zip wires and bespoke assemblies. We can supply multiples of these to our regular customers, however, we are also happy to make individual ropes for specialist tasks.
