AISI 304 grade offers excellent oxidation resistance in general atmospheric and freshwater environments. AISI 316 and 316L grades include molybdenum, which enhances resistance to chlorides, seawater, and industrial chemicals. For high-temperature service up to 1050°C, YS STEEL recommends 310S grade. Duplex 2205 wire rope provides roughly twice the yield strength of 316 stainless steel and superior resistance to stress corrosion cracking in chloride-rich environments.
The following table provides reference values for YS STEEL Stainless Steel Wire Ropes in 7x19 construction, grade 316, with a tensile strength of 1770 MPa. Actual values may vary slightly based on manufacturing batch and specific customer requirements.
| Diameter (mm) | Construction | Approx. Weight (kg/100m) | Minimum Breaking Load (kN) | Maximum Working Load (kN) | Core Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 7x19 | 0.39 | 0.82 | 0.16 | SS core |
| 1.5 | 7x19 | 0.87 | 1.85 | 0.37 | SS core |
| 2.0 | 7x19 | 1.55 | 3.28 | 0.65 | SS core |
| 2.5 | 7x19 | 2.42 | 5.13 | 1.02 | SS core |
| 3.0 | 7x19 | 3.49 | 7.39 | 1.47 | SS core |
| 4.0 | 7x19 | 6.20 | 13.10 | 2.62 | SS core |
| 5.0 | 7x19 | 9.69 | 20.50 | 4.10 | SS core |
| 6.0 | 7x19 | 13.96 | 29.50 | 5.90 | SS core |
| 8.0 | 7x19 | 24.80 | 52.40 | 10.48 | SS core |
| 10.0 | 7x19 | 38.80 | 81.90 | 16.38 | SS core |
| 12.0 | 7x19 | 55.80 | 117.90 | 23.58 | SS core |
| 16.0 | 7x19 | 99.20 | 209.60 | 41.92 | SS core |
| 20.0 | 7x19 | 155.00 | 327.50 | 65.50 | SS core |
| 24.0 | 7x19 | 223.20 | 471.60 | 94.32 | SS core |
| 32.0 | 7x19 | 396.80 | 838.40 | 167.68 | SS core |
YS STEEL maintains strict control over raw material chemical composition to ensure consistent corrosion resistance and mechanical performance. The table below lists typical chemical compositions for the main stainless steel grades used in our wire rope production.
| Grade | Cr (%) | Ni (%) | Mo (%) | C max (%) | Mn max (%) | Si max (%) | P max (%) | S max (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AISI 304 | 18.0–20.0 | 8.0–10.5 | – | 0.08 | 2.00 | 1.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 |
| AISI 304L | 18.0–20.0 | 8.0–12.0 | – | 0.03 | 2.00 | 1.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 |
| AISI 316 | 16.0–18.0 | 10.0–14.0 | 2.0–3.0 | 0.08 | 2.00 | 1.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 |
| AISI 316L | 16.0–18.0 | 10.0–14.0 | 2.0–3.0 | 0.03 | 2.00 | 1.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 |
| AISI 310S | 24.0–26.0 | 19.0–22.0 | – | 0.08 | 2.00 | 1.50 | 0.045 | 0.030 |
| AISI 321 | 17.0–19.0 | 9.0–12.0 | – | 0.08 | 2.00 | 1.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 |
| Duplex 2205 | 22.0–23.0 | 4.5–6.5 | 3.0–3.5 | 0.03 | 2.00 | 1.00 | 0.030 | 0.020 |
Mechanical performance is determined by wire tensile strength, rope construction, and diameter. YS STEEL produces ropes in tensile strength classes of 1570 MPa, 1770 MPa, 1960 MPa, and 2160 MPa. The following table shows typical minimum breaking force values for 6x19 construction with fiber core at different strength levels.
| Nominal Diameter (mm) | 1570 MPa (kN) | 1770 MPa (kN) | 1960 MPa (kN) | 2160 MPa (kN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | 2.34 | 2.64 | 2.92 | 3.22 |
| 3.0 | 5.27 | 5.94 | 6.58 | 7.25 |
| 4.0 | 9.36 | 10.60 | 11.70 | 12.80 |
| 5.0 | 14.60 | 16.50 | 18.20 | 20.10 |
| 6.0 | 21.10 | 23.80 | 26.30 | 29.00 |
| 8.0 | 37.50 | 42.20 | 46.80 | 51.60 |
| 10.0 | 58.60 | 66.00 | 73.10 | 80.60 |
| 12.0 | 84.40 | 95.10 | 105.30 | 116.00 |
| 16.0 | 149.80 | 168.80 | 186.90 | 206.00 |
| 20.0 | 234.10 | 263.80 | 292.10 | 321.90 |
YS STEEL offers multiple surface treatment options for Stainless Steel Wire Ropes to match specific operating environments and aesthetic requirements.
Stainless Steel Wire Ropes from YS STEEL is used across more than 20 industries. Common applications include:
Q: What is the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel wire rope?
A: The primary difference is molybdenum content. AISI 316 stainless steel wire rope contains 2.0% to 3.0% molybdenum, which greatly improves resistance to chloride corrosion and pitting in seawater and chemical environments. AISI 304 does not contain molybdenum and is best suited for freshwater, indoor architectural, and general atmospheric conditions. YS STEEL recommends 316 or 316L grade for marine, coastal, and chemical processing applications where chloride exposure is expected.
Q: How do I choose the right diameter and construction for my application?
A: The selection depends on three factors: working load, flexibility requirement, and environmental conditions. For static lifting or tension systems, use a rope with a minimum breaking load at least five times the intended working load. For dynamic or cyclic loads, apply a safety factor of at least six or eight. Construction affects flexibility: 1x7 and 1x19 are stiff and used for straight tensile members, 7x7 offers moderate flexibility for control cables and light rigging, while 7x19 and 6x36 provide high flexibility for pulleys, winches, and repeated bending over sheaves. YS STEEL technical engineers can assist with rope selection based on your exact load and sheave diameter.
Q: How should stainless steel wire rope be stored and handled?
A: Store coils or reels in a dry, covered area away from carbon steel dust, grinding sparks, and salt spray. Avoid direct contact with carbon steel surfaces because iron contamination can initiate pitting corrosion on the stainless surface. When cutting, use clean cutting tools and seal the ends with adhesive tape or stainless steel ferrules to prevent unraveling. During installation, avoid kinking and maintain a minimum bend radius of at least 20 times the rope diameter for 7x19 construction and 30 times for 1x19 construction. YS STEEL supplies ropes on returnable wooden reels and with VCI packaging to protect against moisture during transit.
Q: What certifications do you provide with Stainless Steel Wire Ropes orders?
A: YS STEEL provides a standard 3.1 material certificate according to EN 10204 for every shipment. The certificate includes chemical composition, tensile test results, dimensional inspection report, and traceability information such as heat number and batch number. For critical applications, we can provide a 3.2 inspection certificate verified by an independent third-party agency such as SGS, BV, or Lloyd's Register. All test equipment is calibrated to international standards, and our quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2015.
Q: Does YS STEEL offer custom diameters or non-standard constructions?
A: Yes, custom stainless steel wire rope production is available for minimum order quantities starting at 500 meters for standard grades and 1000 meters for duplex or special alloys. We can produce non-standard diameters from 0.3 mm to 80 mm, left hand lay, alternate lay, compacted strand rope, and wire rope with mixed-material core such as aramid fiber or PTFE-coated stainless steel core. Custom surface treatments such as black oxide, dry film lubricant, and color-coded PVC jackets are also available. Lead time for custom orders is typically 15 to 25 working days depending on the raw material availability.