TM5-3810-305-10
Section V
Wire Rope Instructions
Rope Identification and
Construction
Wire rope is identified not only by its component
parts, but also by its construction, i.e., by the way
the wires have been laid to form strands, and by
the way the strands have been laid around the
core.
The following illustration is a comparison of
typical wire rope lays (Figure 4-17):
D
E
Figure 4-17.
d. Left Lang Lay e. Right Alternate Lay.
In Figure 4-17, illustrations (A) and (C) show
strands as normally laid into the rope to the right,
in a fashion similar to the threading in a right-
hand bolt, Conversely, the “left lay” rope strands
illustrations (B) and (D) are laid in the opposite
direction.
Again in Figure 4-17, the first two illustrations
(A) and (B) show regular lay ropes. Following
these are the types known as lang lay ropes.
Note that the wires in regular lay ropes appear to
line up with the axis of the rope; in lang lay rope
the wires form an angle with the axis of the rope.
This difference in appearance is a result of
variations in manufacturing techniques: regular
lay ropes are made so that the direction of the
wire lay in the strand is opposite to the direction
of the strand lay in the rope; lang lay ropes (C)
and (D) are made with both strand lay and rope
lay in the same direction. Finally, the last rope
illustrated (E), called alternate lay, consists of
alternating regular and lang lay strands.
Wire rope nomenclature also defines: length, size
(i.e., diameter), type, direction of lay, grade of
rope, type of core and whether it is preformed
(p/f) or non-preformed (rip/f). If the direction
and type of lay are omitted from the rope de-
scription, it is presumed to be a right regular lay.
In addition, if no mention is made as to pre-
forming, this will be presumed as a requirement
for preforming. On the other hand, an order for
elevator rope requires an explicit statement since
p/f and rip/f ropes are used extensively.
An example of a complete description would
appear thus:
600 ft 3/4 in. 6x25 FW Left lang lay
Improved plow IWRC.
(Rope described above would be made PRE-
FORMED.)
There are four basic constructions around which
standard wire ropes are built (Figure 4-18):
6x21 SEALE
6x31 WARRINGTON
WITH IWRC
SEALE WITH IWRC
6x43 FILLER WIRE SEALE 6x46 SEALE FILLER
WITH FIBER CORE
WIRE WITH IWRC
Figure 4-18. Basic Design Construction
4-28
a.Right Regular Lay b. Left Regular Lay c. Right Lang Lay
