Wire Rope Construction Guide

What the numbers mean, how the common constructions behave, and which one fits the job.

Reading a Wire Rope Name

A construction name such as 6x19 packs two facts: the number of strands, and the wires in each strand. 6x19 is six strands of nineteen wires, laid around a core. More and thinner wires make a rope more flexible; fewer, thicker wires make it stiffer and more abrasion resistant.

Two further choices sit behind the name. The core can be fiber or an independent wire rope core, which changes strength and crush resistance - the core types guide covers the difference.

And the finish is bright or galvanized, which decides how the rope stands up outdoors - see the galvanized wire rope guide.

How the Common Constructions Behave

Construction	Character	Where it fits
1x19	19 wires in a single strand; the stiffest common rope, with high breaking strength and low stretch	Structural stays, guardrails and rigging where stretch must stay low
7x7	Seven strands of seven wires; available in small diameters from 0.5 mm; stiffens above about 6 mm	Small control cables, lanyards and light rigging
6x19	Six strands of nineteen wires; filler (12/6+6F/1) and sealed (9/9/1) variants; the long-standing general-purpose rope	General engineering, hoisting and guy lines
7x19	Seven strands of nineteen wires; the most flexible of the common constructions	Pulleys, small sheaves, winching and pulling lines
6x36	Six strands of thirty-six wires (14/7+7/7/1); flexible and resistant to bending fatigue	Crane hoisting, grab lines and winch ropes
Rotation-resistant	18x7, 19x7, 32x7 and 35x7; layers of strands laid in opposite directions, so the rope does not spin under load	Single-line lifting where the load must not turn: tower cranes, offshore and hoist duty
Compacted	Outer strands compacted before closing; smoother, wear-resistant surface and higher breaking strength	Service where abrasion and strength both matter
Coated	A PVC or PE jacket over the rope	Protection and handling in outdoor, marine and recreation use

All constructions are made to GB/T 20118-2006 and supplied bright or galvanized.

Choosing by Application

Structural stays and guardrails: 1x19 for high strength and low stretch.
Pulleys, blocks and pulling lines: 7x19 for maximum flexibility.
General hoisting and guy lines: 6x19, the all-round choice.
Crane hoisting, grabs and winches: 6x36 for bending fatigue resistance.
Single-line lifting where the load must not turn: 18x7, 19x7, 32x7 or 35x7 rotation-resistant ropes.
Small-diameter control and light rigging: 7x7.
Outdoor, wet or marine service: galvanized finish.

Fittings are available to finish the assembly: thimble eyes, swaged terminals and wedge sockets. Tell us the load, the sheave or drum it runs on and the environment, and we will match the construction, core and finish.

Our Wire Rope Range

Greenlogy TEC supplies multi-strand bright or galvanized wire rope in diameters from 0.5 mm to 64 mm, with fiber core and steel core options. Common constructions in the range: 1x19,

7x19, 6x36 FC and 6x36 IWRC, and rotation-resistant 19x7 and 32x7.

Compare the fiber and steel core versions in the core types guide, check lifting capacities in the breaking strength guide, or browse the full wire rope range.

Send your duty to admin@greenlogy.cn for a construction recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 6x19 wire rope mean?

It is six strands, each built from nineteen wires, laid around a core. The first number is the strand count and the second is the wires per strand. Generally, the more and thinner the wires, the more flexible the rope.

What is the difference between 6x19 and 6x36 wire rope?

6x19 has six strands of nineteen wires and is a long-standing general-purpose rope. 6x36 has six strands of thirty-six thinner wires, making it more flexible and more resistant to bending fatigue, which suits crane hoisting and winch duty.

Which wire rope construction is the most flexible?

Among the common constructions, 7x19 is the most flexible and is used over pulleys and for pulling lines. 6x36 is close behind for lifting duty. 1x19 is the stiffest, with the lowest stretch.

What is a rotation-resistant wire rope?

A rope built from multiple layers of strands laid in opposite directions, such as 18x7, 19x7, 32x7 and 35x7. The opposing lays cancel the turning force, so a single-line lift does not spin the load.

What standard are your wire ropes made to?

Our wire ropes are made to GB/T 20118-2006 and supplied bright or galvanized, in diameters from 0.5 mm to 64 mm.