Wire Rope Strength
Reference data and engineering information about wire rope strength for mechanics applications.
wireropestrength
Overview
Engineering reference data for Wire Rope Strength in mechanics.
Key Formulas
Newton's Second Law
Force = mass × acceleration.
Work
Work = force × displacement × cos(angle).
Kinetic Energy
Energy of motion.
Potential Energy
Gravitational potential energy.
Variables
| Symbol | Description | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Force | N | |
| Mass | kg | |
| Acceleration | m/s² | |
| Velocity | m/s |
Wire Rope Strength Data
18 rows
Diameter(in) | Diameter(mm) | Min. Breaking Strength(lbf) | Min. Breaking Strength(kN) | Safe Load(lbf) | Safe Load(kN) | Weight(lbm/ft) | Weight(kg/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 | 6.4 | 5480 | 24.4 | 1100 | 4.89 | 0.11 | 0.16 |
| 5/16 | 8 | 8520 | 37.9 | 1700 | 7.56 | 0.16 | 0.24 |
| 3/8 | 9.5 | 12200 | 54.3 | 2440 | 10.9 | 0.24 | 0.36 |
| 7/16 | 11.5 | 16540 | 73.6 | 3310 | 14.7 | 0.32 | 0.48 |
| 1/2 | 13 | 21400 | 95.2 | 4280 | 19 | 0.42 | 0.63 |
| 9/16 | 14.5 | 27000 | 120 | 5400 | 24 | 0.53 | 0.79 |
| 5/8 | 16 | 33400 | 149 | 6680 | 29.7 | 0.66 | 0.98 |
| 3/4 | 19 | 47600 | 212 | 9520 | 42.3 | 0.95 | 1.41 |
| 7/8 | 22 | 64400 | 286 | 12900 | 57.4 | 1.29 | 1.92 |
| 1 | 26 | 83600 | 372 | 16700 | 74.3 | 1.68 | 2.5 |
| 1 1/8 | 29 | 105200 | 468 | 21000 | 93.4 | 2.13 | 3.17 |
| 1 1/4 | 32 | 129200 | 575 | 25800 | 115 | 2.63 | 3.91 |
| 1 3/8 | 35 | 155400 | 691 | 31100 | 138 | 3.18 | 4.73 |
| 1 1/2 | 38 | 184000 | 818 | 36800 | 164 | 3.78 | 5.63 |
| 1 5/8 | 42 | 214000 | 852 | 42800 | 190 | 4.44 | 6.61 |
| 1 3/4 | 45 | 248000 | 1100 | 49600 | 221 | 5.15 | 7.66 |
| 1 7/8 | 48 | 282000 | 1250 | 56400 | 251 | 5.91 | 8.8 |
| 2 | 52 | 320000 | 1420 | 64000 | 285 | 6.72 | 10 |
Source: engineeringtoolbox.com
Example: Maximum Safe Mass Calculation
To find the maximum safe mass from a known safe load force, use the relationship between mass and force:
Where:
- = mass (kg)
- = force or weight (N)
- = acceleration due to gravity ()
Example: For a 3/8" wire rope with a safe load of :
Wire Rope Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Wire type | Bright (uncoated) |
| Core type | Fiber core (FC) |
| Grade | Improved Plow Steel (IPS) |
The safe load values shown are typically calculated with a safety factor of *5:1 relative to the minimum breaking strength, which is the standard design factor for general lifting applications.