A Higher-Strength Steel Wire Rope Is Better?

In industry and daily life, steel wire ropes play a crucial role in load-bearing and traction tasks. However, many people mistakenly believe that the higher the strength of the steel wire rope, the better. This is not the case. Taking the common 6x12+7fc steel wire rope (a structure with 6 strands and 12 wires per strand, and a 7-strand fiber core) as an example, the relationship between its strength and applicability is worth exploring.

Steel wire ropes with high strength have obvious advantages. In lifting operations, they can withstand greater tensile forces, ensuring the safety of lifting heavy objects. For example, port cranes can efficiently and stably handle containers with the help of high-strength steel wire ropes. At the same time, high strength allows for a reduction in the size and weight of the steel wire rope and its supporting equipment, saving manufacturing costs.

However, an increase in strength also brings disadvantages. When the strength of the 6x12+7fc steel wire rope increases, its flexibility deteriorates. In scenarios involving frequent bending, stress concentration is likely to occur, leading to wire breakage and shortening the service life. Moreover, high-strength steel wire ropes have complex manufacturing processes, are expensive, and require more stringent maintenance. As a result, the usage costs increase significantly.

In conclusion, when selecting steel wire ropes, we should not simply pursue high strength. Instead, we need to comprehensively consider factors such as the working environment, load characteristics, and cost budget to balance safety and efficiency.