The 6 x 19 classification of wire ropes includes standard
6 strand, round strand ropes with 16 through 26
wires per strand. The 6 x 36 classification of wire
ropes includes standard 6 strand, round strand ropes
with 27 through 49 wires per strand. Although their
operating characteristics vary, all have the same
weight per foot and the same nominal strength, size
While the 6 x 19 ropes give primary emphasis to abrasion
resistance in varying degrees, the 6 x 36 ropes
are important for their fatigue resistance.
This fatigue resistance is made possible by the
greater number of small wires per strand.
Although there are exceptions for special applications,
the constructions in 6 x 36 classification are primarily
designed to be the most efficient for each rope diameter.
As the rope size increases, for instance, a large
number of wires can be used to achieve required fatigue
resistance, and still those wires will be large
enough to offer adequate resistance to abrasion.
6 x 19 classification ropes.
6 x 19S (Seale) In this construction,
each strand has nine outer wires over
nine smaller inner wires over one large
center wire. A comparison of crosssections
shows that these outside
wires are larger than those of 6 x
25FW or 6 x 26WS. Therefore, its resistance
to abrasion is increased, but its fatigue resistance
is decreased. This is a rope to withstand abrasion
or crushing on the drum.
6 x 25FW (Filler Wire) To most wire rope users, 6 x
19 means 6 x 25 filler wire. It was the
most common rope in the 6 x 19 classification.
This rope has a good balance
between both abrasion resistance
and fatigue resistance in relation
to other ropes.
6 x 26WS (Warrington Seale) This construction has
better resistance to abrasion than a 6 x
25FW. It also features a compact construction
with solid support for the wires; hence,
it has high resistance to crushing. Its number
and relative size of the inner wires add
to the stability of the strand and gives a
fatigue resistance comparable to a 6 x 25FW.
A standard 6 x 26WS construction the best rope for a
wide range of applications. In general, we recommend
the use of a 6 x 26WS in any application where a 6 x
25FW is used.
6 x 36 classification ropes.
In most rope sizes, only one 6 x 36 classification rope is
made. These constructions were selected to provide fatigue
resistance without having wires that are too small.
The greater number of wires in the 6 x 36 classification
makes these ropes more susceptible to crushing. This
can be minimized, however, by specifying an Independent
Wire Rope Core (IWRC) and by using well-designed
sheaves, grooved drums and proper operating techniques.