What are the advantages of steel wire rope compared to ordinary round wire rope in construction scenarios?

click:Release Date:2025/6/17

In construction scenarios, steel wire rope (usually referring to composite ropes reinforced with steel wires inside) has the following significant advantages compared to ordinary round wire rope (made of pure metal wire weaving or twisting), especially suitable for scenarios with high requirements for strength, durability, and safety:


1、 Stronger strength and load-bearing capacity


Composite structure enhances tensile performance


The clamping steel rope is usually composed of an outer layer of fiber material (such as nylon, polyester, etc.) wrapped around an inner steel wire, which serves as the core skeleton to provide the main tension, while the outer layer of fibers protects the steel wire and enhances wear resistance.


Although ordinary round wire ropes (such as galvanized steel wire ropes) have high strength, pure metal structures are prone to corrosion or fatigue fracture;


The composite structure of steel wire and fiber with clamped steel rope provides higher tensile strength (the bearing capacity can be increased by 30%~50% under the same diameter), and better impact resistance, making it suitable for lifting heavy objects, vertical transportation of high-rise buildings, and other scenarios.


Higher fracture resistance and safety


The presence of internal steel wires allows the clamping steel rope to maintain its basic bearing capacity through the steel wires even when locally damaged, while ordinary round wire ropes may collapse as a whole if the outer steel wires break.


For example, when lifting heavy objects such as steel bars and templates, the composite structure with steel ropes can reduce the risk of sudden breakage and minimize safety accidents.


2、 Better durability and environmental adaptability


Significant improvement in corrosion resistance


Ordinary round wire ropes (especially steel wire ropes that have not been galvanized or have worn coatings) are susceptible to corrosion from moisture and acidic substances (such as concrete slurry) on construction sites, leading to a decrease in strength;


The outer fiber wrapping layer of the steel wire rope can isolate the steel wire from contact with corrosive media, extending its service life, especially suitable for outdoor operations and humid environments (such as basement construction and bridge construction).


Better wear resistance and compression resistance


In construction, ropes often rub or squeeze against scaffolding, steel frames, etc. The outer fibers of the steel rope (such as high modulus polyethylene) have high wear resistance and self-lubricating properties, which can reduce wear and tear. However, ordinary round wire ropes are prone to problems such as broken wires and looseness after wear.


For example, in scenarios such as tower crane arm traction and horizontal dragging of materials, the wear resistance of the clamping steel rope can reduce maintenance frequency and improve construction efficiency.


3、 Operational convenience and functional advantages


Lighter weight and more flexible operation


The outer fiber density of the clamped steel rope is lower than that of metal, and its weight is more than 50% lighter than ordinary round wire rope under the same strength. It is convenient for construction personnel to handle and install, especially suitable for high-altitude operations (such as exterior wall construction and steel structure installation) where the position of the rope is frequently adjusted.


Multi functional scene adaptability


Insulation: Some clamped steel ropes use insulated fiber outer layers to avoid the risk of electric shock (such as in construction areas near power facilities), while ordinary round wire ropes are conductors and pose safety hazards;


Flexibility: The fiber outer layer makes the clamping steel rope softer, easy to wrap, knot or pass through pulley systems, suitable for complex lifting routes such as curved traction and multi turn lifting.


4、 Cost and maintenance benefits


Lower long-term costs


Although the initial procurement cost of steel wire rope is higher than that of ordinary round wire rope, its long lifespan and low maintenance requirements (reducing the frequency of replacement due to corrosion and wear) can lower the overall usage cost, making it particularly suitable for large-scale long-term construction projects.


Maintain convenience


After the outer fibers are worn, they can be directly observed by the naked eye, which facilitates timely detection of hidden dangers and local replacement. However, the internal corrosion of ordinary round wire ropes is difficult to visually inspect and requires regular professional testing.


Typical construction application scenarios


Lifting and hoisting: lifting heavy objects such as steel bars, prefabricated components, and large equipment;


High altitude operation safety rope: used as a safety protection rope in exterior wall decoration and scaffolding construction;


Traction and fixation: Cable wind ropes for tower cranes, construction elevators, or temporary traction and fixation structures;


Special environmental construction: rope application in damp and corrosive environments (such as underground engineering and coastal buildings).


precautions


When selecting a steel wire rope, it is necessary to confirm parameters such as wire diameter, fiber material (such as temperature resistance differences between polyester and nylon), breaking force, etc., to match specific load requirements;


Avoid direct contact with sharp objects, regularly check the wear of the outer fibers, and ensure that the internal steel wires are not exposed or corroded.


Summary: Through the composite design of "steel wire reinforcement+fiber protection", the clamping steel rope has achieved comprehensive improvement in strength, durability, and safety in construction, and is the best solution for high load and harsh environmental scenarios.


The above information is for reference only