Wire Rope

Shop and request a quote for high-performance wire rope in stainless steel, galvanized, bright, IWRC, FC, and specialty constructions. Available in multiple strand configurations and diameters for industrial, OEM, and structural applications.

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Industrial Wire Rope Supplier & Manufacturer

Lexco Cable supplies and fabricates wire rope for OEMs, construction companies, infrastructure projects, marine applications, utilities, lifting operations, and general industrial use. We offer:

  • Stainless steel and galvanized wire rope
  • Fiber core (FC) and independent wire rope core (IWRC) constructions
  • ASTM-compliant guy strand and structural strand
  • Custom cut-to-length services
  • Value-added assemblies and fittings
  • Bulk and production-volume supply

Need help selecting the right construction? Request a quote or contact our team for specification guidance.

Wire Rope Specifications, Constructions & Material Options

Construction & Specification Considerations

Choosing the right wire rope construction depends on your application, load requirements, and performance priorities such as flexibility, strength, and abrasion resistance.

Core construction decisions include:

  • IWRC vs FC (Core Type)
    • IWRC (Independent Wire Rope Core) is typically selected for higher strength, heat resistance, and crushing resistance
    • FC (Fiber Core) offers greater flexibility and is often used in lighter-duty or bending applications
  • 6×19 vs 6×37 Constructions
    • 6×19 provides better abrasion resistance and is suited for more rugged environments
    • 6×37 offers increased flexibility, making it ideal for applications with frequent bending

Performance tradeoffs to consider:

  • Higher flexibility improves bending performance but may reduce abrasion resistance
  • Higher strength and abrasion resistance typically come with reduced flexibility
  • Rotation-resistant rope is required for lifting applications where load spin must be minimized

Application-specific selections:

  • Structural strand is commonly used in infrastructure and support applications
  • Aircraft cable is typically selected for smaller diameters and control-based systems
  • Common diameter ranges vary based on load requirements, equipment, and installation constraints

Load and specification considerations:

  • Breaking strength requirements should be calculated based on working load limits and safety factors
  • Engineers evaluate load conditions, environment, and usage cycles when specifying wire rope
  • ASTM or MIL standards are often required for regulated or high-performance applications

OEM and industrial customers typically select wire rope based on a balance of strength, flexibility, durability, and compliance requirements to ensure long-term performance in their specific application.

Finish, Corrosion Protection & Service Life

Selecting the appropriate finish depends on exposure conditions, performance requirements, and expected service life.

Common finish options include:

  • Stainless steel wire rope
    Provides the highest level of corrosion resistance, typically used in marine, coastal, and high-moisture environments
  • Galvanized wire rope
    Offers strong corrosion protection for outdoor and industrial applications at a lower cost than stainless
  • Bright (uncoated) wire rope
    Used for indoor or controlled environments where corrosion is not a primary concern

How to choose the right finish:

  • For marine or high-moisture environments, stainless steel is typically required for long-term durability
  • For outdoor industrial applications, galvanized rope provides a balance of cost and corrosion resistance
  • For indoor mechanical systems, bright wire rope may be sufficient

Performance and service life considerations:

  • Galvanizing method impacts corrosion resistance, with higher-quality coatings offering longer protection
  • Lubrication affects both corrosion protection and fatigue resistance, especially in high-use systems
  • For repeated bending applications, proper lubrication is critical to extend service life
  • In high-humidity environments, material and coating selection directly impact maintenance needs

Selecting the right finish ensures your wire rope performs reliably in its intended environment while minimizing wear, corrosion, and long-term replacement costs.

Need Help Selecting Wire Rope?

Not sure which construction or finish is right for your application? Our team can assist with specification guidance, custom cutting, and bulk supply options.

Wire Rope FAQs

Can Extrusion Coated Wire Ropes Be Customized in Any Color?2026-02-12T18:47:59+00:00

Yes, one of the key features of extrusion coated wire ropes is the ability to match and create custom colors. This allows them to meet specific color requirements for projects, ranging from equipment manufacturers to safety equipment and retail displays. Lexco® Cable offers precision in color matching, ensuring the final product aligns with the brand’s identity and aesthetics.

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What Are the Common Materials Used in the Manufacturing of Wire Rope Threaded Studs?2026-02-12T18:44:22+00:00

Wire rope threaded studs are typically made from materials like carbon steel, stainless steel, and alloy steel, each selected for its specific properties such as strength, corrosion resistance, and suitability for various environmental conditions.

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What are wire rope threaded studs, and why are they important?2026-02-12T18:44:26+00:00

Wire rope threaded studs are crucial fastening components used in various applications to ensure structural integrity and reliability. They serve as the primary means of securing materials together across industries such as construction, automotive, aerospace, and marine.

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What Stranding Constructions Does Mil-dtl-83140 Cover?2026-02-12T18:44:35+00:00

19×7 rotation resistant

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What Stranding Constructions Does Mil-dtl-87161 Cover?2026-02-12T18:44:31+00:00

1×7

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What Stranding Constructions Does Mil-dtl-83420 Cover?2026-02-12T18:47:16+00:00

7×7 bare

7×7 jacketed

7×19 bare

7×19 jacketed

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Are There Different Types of Rotation-resistant Wire Rope?2026-02-12T18:47:21+00:00

There are 3 categories of rotation-resistant wire ropes organized by torque reduction.

  1. Category 1 is the most rotation-resistant and typical constructions are 34×7 and 35×7. Category 1 rotation-resistant wire rope may be used with a swivel.
  2. Category 2 is moderate and typical constructions are 19×7 and 19×19. Category 2 rotation-resistant wire ropes should not be used with a swivel.
  3. Category 3 has the least rotation-resistant of the 3 categories and typical constructions are 8×19 and 8×25. Category 3 rotation-resistant wire ropes should not be used with a swivel.

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What Are the Different Wire Rope Constructions?2026-02-12T18:47:26+00:00
Classification # of Strands # of Wires # of Max Outer Wires
6×19 6 15-26 12
6×37 6 27-49 18
6×61 6 50-74 24
6×91 6 75-108 30
6×127 6 109+ 36

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What Are the Differences Among Bright, Galvanized and Stainless Steel?2026-02-12T18:47:32+00:00

Bright wire rope is fabricated from wires that are not coated.

Rotation Resistant Bright wire rope is designed to resist the tendency to spin or rotate under load. In general, this rope is used as single part lines or situations where operating conditions require a rope that will resist cabling in a multipart system. The essential nature of rotation resistant rope designs impose certain limitations on their application and necessitate special handling requirements not encountered with other rope classifications.

Galvanized wire rope is zinc coated for corrosion resistance and has approximately the same pulling strength as Bright. In favorable environments, it can provide an economical alternative to stainless steel.

Stainless steel wire rope is made up of corrosion-resistant steel wires and is the highest quality wire rope available. It has approximately the same pulling strength as Bright or Galvanized rope and lasts the longest under harsh conditions such as saltwater and other acidic environments.

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What Are the Rope Lay Options?2026-02-12T18:47:37+00:00

The finished rope has either a right or left-hand lay, which refers to the direction in which the strands were wrapped around the core.

Regular lay means the individual wires were wrapped around the centers in one direction, and the strands were wrapped around the core in the opposite direction.

Lang’s lay means the wires were wrapped around the centers in one direction, and the strands were wrapped around the core in the same direction.

The length of lay is measured as the distance in inches for one strand to go completely around the rope one time.

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What is Wire Rope?2026-02-12T18:50:11+00:00

Wire rope is a flexible steel cord that is extremely strong. Typical uses for wire rope are: hoisting, towing, and anchoring heavy loads. The core is the foundation of a wire rope. The three most commonly used core designations are: fiber core (FC)independent wire rope core (IWRC), and wire strand core (WSC).

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What Are the Factors Affecting the Selection of Wire Rope?2026-02-12T18:47:44+00:00

Strength-resistance to breaking
The wire rope should be strong enough to handle the maximum potential load, including safety factors.

Resistance to bending fatigue
Fatigue is caused by repeatedly bending rope around drums, sheaves, etc. A wire rope with strands made up of many small wires will be more resistant to fatigue, but less resistant to abrasion.

Resistance to vibrational fatigue 
Energy is absorbed via the end fittings or at the tangent point where the rope contacts the sheave.

Resistance to abrasion 
Abrasion occurs when a rope is dragged over the ground or other surfaces. A wire rope with strands made of fewer, larger wires will be more resistant to abrasion, but less resistant to fatigue.

Resistance to crushing 
During use, a wire rope may encounter crushing forces or be struck against hard objects. This can cause the rope to become flattened or distorted, resulting in premature breakage. Wire rope must have sufficient lateral stability to withstand the crushing pressures it may encounter. Regular lay ropes have greater lateral stability than Lang’s lay, and six-strand wire ropes have greater lateral stability than eight-strand ropes.

Reserve strength
Reserve strength is the combined strength of all the wires contained within the strands.

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In What Industries Are Extrusion Coated Wire Ropes Commonly Used?2026-02-12T18:48:02+00:00

Extrusion coated wire ropes have versatile applications across numerous industries. They are used in the fitness industry, children’s play structures, rigging, marine applications, industrial designs, architectural accents, pet accessories, retail displays, safety equipment, and much more.

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What is Extrusion Coating and How Does It Benefit Wire Ropes?2026-02-12T18:48:10+00:00

Extrusion coating involves jacketing wire ropes in a polymer layer, which enhances their durability and corrosion resistance. This process strengthens the ropes and allows for aesthetic customization through a range of colors, making them suitable for various environmental conditions and branding needs.

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How Do You Measure Wire Rope Diameter?2026-02-12T18:48:13+00:00

Wire rope diameters are determined upon the measurement of a circle that just touches the outermost area of its strands. Usually, parallel-jawed calipers are used for this.

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What Are the Four Characteristics to Consider When Choosing Wire Rope?2026-02-12T18:48:17+00:00

The four characteristics that someone should take into account when selecting wire rope for any project or assembly include strength, flexibility, corrosion resistance/ability to withstand wear, and ability to withstand distortion or crushing.

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What Chemical Does Stainless Steel Type 316 Include That Stainless Steel Type 304 Does Not Contain?2026-02-12T18:48:21+00:00

Stainless steel type 316 comprises 2% Mo (molybdenum), while Mo is omitted from stainless steel type 304

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What is the Best Wire for Corrosion Resistance?2026-02-12T18:49:56+00:00

Due to the metals used in the manufacturing process, stainless steel is one of the best types of wire rope for avoiding corrosion.

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How Do You Protect Wire Rope Against Corrosion?2026-02-12T18:50:01+00:00

Regular lubrication, coatings, galvanization, and choosing the right type of rope for an assembly will help protect a wire rope against corrosion, rust, and degradation.

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Will Wire Rope Rust?2026-02-12T18:50:05+00:00

In conditions that are salty or wet and humid, it is possible for wire rope to rust or corrode over time.

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