Wire rope is a heavy-duty, multi-strand cable made from high-strength steel wires twisted into strands and bundled around a central core. Known for its remarkable durability and load-carrying capacity, it is a fundamental component of lifting and rigging operations in construction, marine, industrial, and mining settings.
At Empire Rigging, we offer a wide range of premium wire rope options designed to meet strict safety standards. Whether you're operating cranes on a jobsite, rigging loads in a shipyard, or setting up winches in the field, our wire rope solutions are built for reliability, safety, and long-lasting performance.
Benefits Of Using Wire Rope
Wire rope is designed for rugged performance, providing the strength, durability, and flexibility required for a wide variety of lifting and rigging tasks. Whether you're lifting heavy equipment or securing structural components, these key advantages make wire rope a reliable choice.
• High tensile strength: Made from high-carbon steel or stainless alloys, wire rope handles heavy loads without stretching or breaking—making it perfect for heavy lifting and critical rigging situations.
• Excellent Flexibility: Certain constructions like 6×19 and 6×36 balance strength and pliability, enabling the rope to bend easily around drums, pulleys, or sheaves without compromising its integrity.
• Corrosion Resistance: Available in galvanized or stainless steel options, wire rope can withstand tough outdoor, marine, or chemical settings where rust and corrosion are issues.
• Abrasion Resistance: Proper strand configuration and outer wire hardness help the wire rope resist wear from contact with drums and rigging hardware, extending its service life in demanding conditions.
• Load-Bearing Reliability: Each rope is rated with a specific Working Load Limit (WLL) and designed to meet or surpass safety standards, ensuring consistent performance under pressure.
• Versatility: Wire rope is suitable for use with cranes, hoists, winches, slings, towing systems, structural supports, and even decorative installations.
This unique blend of strength, safety, and versatility makes wire rope one of the most vital tools in the lifting and rigging industry.
Types of Wire Rope
At Empire Rigging, we offer a range of wire rope types to cater to the diverse needs of various industries and environments. Each type is crafted for specific performance features—whether that’s corrosion resistance, load stability, or extra protection in tough conditions.
Galvanized wire rope
Coated with a layer of zinc to prevent rust and corrosion. It’s a popular option for outdoor uses like guy wires, fencing, winches, and general rigging in construction or farming. Galvanized wire rope is strong, affordable, and suitable for areas with moisture, but not extreme conditions.
Stainless Steel Wire Rope
Made from high-quality stainless steel (usually 304 or 316), this type is highly resistant to corrosion, making it the preferred choice for marine, coastal, and chemical environments. It also has a clean, polished appearance that works well for architectural and decorative uses like railings, trellises, and suspension systems. Besides its looks, stainless steel performs dependably in wet, acidic, or salt-rich environments.
Coated Wire Rope
This type of rope has a protective outer layer made of PVC, nylon, or polyethylene. The coating provides multiple benefits: it cushions the wire strands from wear, reduces metal-on-metal contact, enhances grip, and increases visibility, especially with bright or colored coatings. Coated wire rope is commonly used in recreational settings, safety barriers, overhead garage doors, or any area where appearance and protection are equally important.
Rotation‑Resistant / Non‑Rotating Wire Rope
Explicitly designed to minimize spinning under load, these ropes feature counterbalanced strands that cancel out torque. This makes them essential for vertical lifting applications where load rotation could be dangerous or cause equipment damage—such as tower cranes, elevator hoists, and offshore lifts. Although these ropes are more complex and need careful handling, they offer superior stability for critical lifts.
Each type of wire rope we offer is manufactured to meet strict industry standards, ensuring reliable performance and safety you can depend on in the field.
How to Choose the Right Wire Rope
Choosing the right wire rope for your job is essential for safety, performance, and efficiency. Factors like load weight, movement, environment, and equipment compatibility all matter. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what to consider:
1. Core & Strand Type
The core is the foundation of your wire rope. A Fiber Core (FC) offers greater flexibility and is ideal for lighter-duty tasks or when the rope needs to bend around small sheaves. An Independent Wire Rope Core (IWRC), made of steel, provides increased strength, resistance to crushing, and is preferred for high-load or high-abrasion applications.
2. Strand Construction
Wire ropes are identified by their strand configuration (e.g., 6x19, 6x36), which affects flexibility and abrasion resistance.
• 6×19: A balance of strength and durability—ideal for general-purpose rigging.
• 6×36: Provides excellent flexibility for applications that involve frequent bending, such as hoisting over multiple pulleys.
• Rotation-resistant types (e.g., 19×7 or 35×7): Necessary when load stability is crucial and you want to avoid spinning during lifts.
3. Material Finish
• Galvanized: Ideal for general outdoor applications that need moderate corrosion resistance.
• Stainless steel is perfect for marine, food-grade, or chemical environments because of its excellent corrosion resistance.
• Coated: Suitable for applications needing extra protection from abrasion or enhanced grip and visibility.
4. Diameter & Working Load Limit (WLL)
Ensure the rope’s diameter and rated capacity match the job’s requirements. An undersized or overrated rope can cause failure. Always adhere to manufacturer and OSHA/ASME guidelines for calculating safety margins and load factors.
5. Environment & Conditions
Will the rope be used in extreme temperatures, wet or corrosive conditions, or under repeated bending or constant motion? Answering these questions can help you choose a rope that resists fatigue, corrosion, or heat degradation over time.
Choosing the right wire rope ensures safe operation, extends service life, and improves overall system reliability. If you're unsure which type suits your needs, our team is always ready to assist with expert recommendations.
Wire Rope Accessories & Fittings
To maximize performance, safety, and versatility, wire rope must be paired with the correct accessories and hardware. These parts help create secure terminations, adjust tension, and connect to lifting systems. Whether you're building a custom rigging setup or replacing worn components, using the right fittings is essential.
Wire Rope Clips
Wire Rope Clips, also called cable clamps, these are used to create end terminations or secure wire rope loops. They come in U-bolt and fist grip styles. Proper installation, including the correct number and spacing, is essential for strength and safety compliance.
Thimbles
Thimbles shield the rope eye from abrasion and crushing when forming loops, especially when the loop connects with hooks, shackles, or pins. They help keep the rope’s shape and prevent fraying under tension.
Swage Sleeves and Ferrules
These metal sleeves are crimped onto wire rope to create permanent end terminations. Common in industrial, marine, and architectural applications, swaged fittings provide clean, streamlined connections with consistent strength.
Turnbuckles
Used to adjust tension and length of wire rope assemblies. Available in jaw, eye, or hook configurations, turnbuckles are essential for load-balancing, structural bracing, and suspension systems.
Swivels and sockets
Enable movement, rotation, and alignment in lifting or tensioning tasks. Swivels help prevent rope twisting under load, while sockets offer a strong and compact method to secure rope ends.
Protective Coated Fittings
Designed for use with coated wire rope, these fittings help preserve the outer layer's integrity and maintain a professional look in architectural or visual settings.
All accessories must match the rope’s size and load specifications to ensure system integrity. For critical lifts, using manufacturer-recommended fittings is essential to guarantee performance and compliance with OSHA and ASME standards.
Need Help Choosing?
Choosing the right wire rope for your application is essential for safety and performance. At Empire Rigging, our knowledgeable team of rigging experts is here to offer specialized guidance suited to your specific needs.
Whether you're coordinating a heavy lift, outfitting a winch system, or managing a large-scale industrial project, we can help you identify the right wire rope construction, core type, and accessories to meet your operational needs. We also ensure that all product recommendations comply with current OSHA and ASME safety standards.
If you have questions about load ratings, environmental considerations, or hardware compatibility, our team is ready to help. Call us at 1.888.426.3755 or submit a request online. At Empire Rigging, we are dedicated to providing both top-quality products and the expertise you need to use them confidently.








