The lifting and rigging equipment industry was worth $72.04 billion in 2020, and it is likely to reach $96.11 Billion by 2028. One of the most popular rigging equipment is the galvanized wire ropes. They are an excellent rigging and lifting hardware choice. But they may not always be a suitable option for your rigging and lifting needs.
And you would be better able to decide when to use it if you know what questions to ask. Let’s discuss a few galvanized wire rope FAQs that will help you make an informed decision.
Galvanized Wire Rope FAQs
1. What Is Galvanized Wire Rope
A galvanized wire rope is nothing but a galvanized steel wire. The Galvanization process includes applying a protective zinc coating to the steel wire rope. The most common method is hot-dip galvanization, where the wire rope gets dipped in a bath of hot, molten zinc. The layer of zinc protects the wire rope from rust and corrosion.
2. What Are the Benefits of Galvanized Wire Rope
The purpose of galvanization is to prevent the wire rope from rusting and corrosion. So, the foremost benefit of a galvanized wire rope is that it has twenty times the lifespan of a non-galvanized wire rope. This means you can use it without replacement for a long time, saving money in the long run.
3. What Are the Drawbacks of Galvanized Wire Rope
Although galvanized wire rope offers excellent corrosion resistance, it isn’t as strong as its non-galvanized counterpart. These wire ropes often have lower tensile strength than uncoated steel wire ropes. In other words, they have poor resistance to bending deformation.
4. How Do You Store Galvanized Steel Wire Rope?
It’s better to keep the original packing intact unless you want to use the galvanized wire rope. The original packaging will protect it from environmental damage. The coating may have corrosion-resistant properties, but you will still need to store the galvanized wire rope in a dry, cool, and dark place. This prevents the zinc coating from oxidation.
5. Where Can You Use Galvanized Wire Rope
Galvanized wire ropes have good rust resistance, but due to low tensile strength, they are often not used for applications in harsh environments. They are best suited for daily applications such as corralling cattle, tying up felled logs, attaching cables to heavy machinery, and hoisting equipment to a crane.
6. What Are the Specifications of Galvanized Wire Rope
The galvanized wire rope specifications often describe the number of wires in each strand and the number of strands in the whole rope. The first number indicates the number of strands, while the second describes the number of wires in each strand.
So, in a 7×19 cable, you will see seven strands, each with 19 wires. Most galvanized wire rope suppliers have three popular classifications, including 1×19, 7×7, and 7×19 cables. Your choice will depend on the type of your application.
7. How Do You Determine the Size of Galvanized Steel Wire Ropes?
The diameter will specify the size of a galvanized wire rope. The standard galvanized steel wire rope is 6 to 7 mm in diameter. It often gets shipped in long strands or coils. However, you may ask your galvanized wire rope supplier to provide a custom-made wire rope.
8. What Is the Tensile Strength of Galvanized Steel Wire Rope?
The tensile strength of each galvanized steel wire rope will vary depending on its specifications. However, it will always be lower than a non-coated wire rope. The zinc coating often makes a galvanized wire rope stiffer.
9. How Much Can Galvanized Steel Wire Rope Weigh?
The weight of a galvanized steel wire rope will vary based on its diameter. As you can imagine, the bigger the diameter, the heavier the wire rope. The standard unit of specifying the weight of a galvanized wire rope is kilograms/meters. You can ask your galvanized wire rope supplier about these specifications before placing your order.
10. Does Galvanized Wire Rope Corrode?
Galvanized wire rope is corrosion resistant, not corrosion immune. These ropes can stand a lot of wear and tear. However, galvanized wire ropes are still unsuited for harsh environments. Exposing galvanized wire rope to saltwater can cause it to corrode. If you want to use the rope in saltwater conditions, it’s better to switch to steel cables.
11. What’s the Difference between Galvanized Wire Rope and Steel Wire Rope?
As the name suggests, the galvanized wire rope is a steel wire rope coated with zinc. While this coating increases its corrosion resistance, it makes a galvanized rope more brittle and stiff. On the other hand, the steel wire rope comes with a coat of plasticizers that offer better tensile strength. That’s why stainless steel wire rope is more suitable for marine applications.
12. How Do You Clean Galvanized Wire Rope
Keeping your galvanized wire rope clean can significantly improve its lifespan. Cleaning keeps moisture, dirt, and dust away from the wire rope. The best way to clean a galvanized rope is to use a nylon brush. Never use abrasive pads or metal objects to clean it. These can damage the zinc coating, making it useless.
13. What Is the Cost of Galvanized Wire Rope
The cost of a galvanized wire rope will also depend on its specifications like diameter and length. Your galvanized wire rope supplier may provide it in finished coils or as unfinished material. But you can get customized orders depending on your needs. Make sure to speak with your supplier for a detailed estimate.
14. Can You Use Galvanized Wire Ropes in Marine Applications?
No! Saltwater can damage the zinc coating, eventually causing corrosion and rust. It’s better to use steel wire ropes for marine applications as they offer enhanced protection against salt water.
15. Will Galvanized Wire Rope Rust
People also ask – will galvanize wire rope rust? The answer is yes. It will rust, but not quickly. It should last years before the zinc coating wears off and rust starts developing. That’s why regular maintenance is necessary.
16. How to Cut Galvanized Wire Rope
As mentioned earlier, the galvanized wire rope comes in coils or strands with a precut length. You can cut it into the desired length, depending on your application. However, you will need to know how to cut galvanized wire rope.
The best way is to use a wire rope-cutting tool. You can use a tool depending on the diameter of the wire rope. Make sure to cut the wire rope quickly but steadily to avoid damage. You will also need to seize the ends.
17. Where Can I Buy Galvanized Wire Ropes
Galvanized wire rope comes in different diameters and lengths. You want to purchase it from a reliable and well-known supplier like Elite Sales. We are one of the leading galvanized wire rope suppliers with warehouse locations in Miami, Tampa, Dyer, and Houston. We can offer you fair and transparent pricing, same-day shipping, and many other benefits.
In Conclusion
There you go! These questions will help you understand if the galvanized wire rope is the right choice for your project. As you can see, you should avoid using this rope for marine and other saltwater applications. It is also not best suited for applications that require high tensile strength. This wire rope is best suited for day-to-day applications like hoisting, rigging, fencing, and logging.
Do you need galvanized wire ropes? At Elite Sales, we can help you procure the best-quality rigging and lifting material, including galvanized wire ropes. Give us a call for the details.