The steel wire is a metallic, cylindrical, and flexible strand that is commonly used to conduct electricity. With it, you can form a wire rope which has even more uses in both private and public sector industries. Some applications you might not even expect. Thanks to this, the uses of steel wire expand greatly.
The applications of steel wire range far and wide. It is used in most industries because having a rope that’s more durable than normal fibrous ropes is an incredible advantage. It becomes the better option in terms of safety, longevity, and of course, versatility. And as you can expect, it does the jobs of normal ropes but better. To learn more about steel wire applications in different industries, keep reading below!
Strong wires or strands are most at home on a construction site. Workers have found many ways to put sturdy wires to good use that fibrous ropes might not be able to achieve. They use the wires for lifting heavy things like cement blocks, machinery, or even people in the lift. Steel wires are also used in some parts of the construction itself, serving as extra support. The construction applications of these wires depend heavily on the type of construction being done and on the processes happening on the site, but either way, you will still be able to find a good use for steel wires for construction.
The aerospace industry also capitalizes on using steel wires. When it comes to connections, it’s better to have something sturdy and light at the same time. The high altitude means that all parts are subject to plenty of heat, pressure, and corrosion, and the wire ropes are naturally resistant to all those. Needless to say, a fibrous rope could easily snap. Thanks to the nature of steel strands, they work well as connectors to pedals, levers, and other mechanisms in an aircraft. It can also be used in the controlling of flaps and propellers and minimizes vibrations throughout the craft.
Practically everything about a factory can be improved by the application and integration of steel wires. In the manufacturing industry, steel wires fit in because it helps equipment work and it functions as a good hoist when needed as well. Factories have multiple mechanisms to move around items and people. You can expect steel wires to be a part of conveyor belts, lifts, and other devices.
Steel wires are widely used in the transportation industry other than aerospace. Like aerospace, steel wires are used as connectors for pedals and other mechanisms. Imagine you’re in a car factory. You would see car parts all over the place, being lifted and transported, sometimes being worked on by advanced robots and machinery. At the core of all these processes, you will be able to find steel wires. Wire ropes are extensively used in the production of parts: moving heavy loads, supplying parts, positioning equipment, and directly contributing to the creation of several automotive parts.
The versatility of steel wires has let them become useful even in the entertainment industry. Steel wires are incorporated in the rigging used for most movie stunts. It also helps in carrying and moving equipment between scenes, takes, and locations. This safety measure application of steel wires is also done in amusement park rides. Wires reinforce safety measures in rides and it is also used to pull rollercoasters and support the entire weight of cable cars.
In live theater, the average curtain weighs over 800-1,200 pounds. This is why durable steel strands are needed to draw or close them, or even just support their entire weight. They also hold overhead rigging and catwalk, and some backdrops and set pieces.
One of the first major users of steel wires was the mining industry. In some countries, the industry is still leading in steel wire consumption. It can be found in almost any step of the mining process — from lifting shafts, extracting minerals, becoming connections for mining equipment, to resource transportation. Considering the dangers that come with this activity, the strength of the wire could mean life and death for many workers. That’s why only the strongest steel wires are selected and acquired for this industry.
The uses of steel wire in all of these industries generally rely on one thing: the strength that it possesses. Steel wires are preferred over other types of wires because it is stronger, lasts longer, and fights against external corrosion better. If you’re in an industry that requires lifting, pulling, or even overall safety, chances are you would benefit from having high-quality steel wires.
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6 Common Uses of Steel Wire
Steel wire is a versatile product and is used in many industries. Right from the entertainment as rigging for stunt scenes, to amusement parks for various rides to cranes used in industries such as oil and gas, shipping, and so on, steel wire ropes are present everywhere. Learn how these steel wires are made , their types and applications.
Steel is known to be an important raw material for various industries. We have already explained various steel products such as steel plates, TMT bars, aluminium coils, and so on. Just like aluminium coils, steel wire is a versatile product and has varied applications. This article will explain, what steel wire is, how steel wire is made, its benefits and applications.
What is a steel wire? Steel wire is a flexible, cylindrical strand made of steel. It is used for various applications however one of the important uses include lifting heavy materials in construction, logistics, infrastructure industries. Its manufacturing process generally involves several processes such as rolling, surface heating, etc.
Step 1: Generally, the raw material for making steel wires include steel rods which are supplied by integrated or mini steel plants. Steel rods are often made from billets using a hot rolling process.
Step 2: Surface treatment is the next step. Descaling and surfacing coating is done, which further enables the drawing process.
Step 3: The third step of making steel wire is drawing. The rod is brought to the drawing machine and the required diameter wire is drawn.
Step 4: Then, the drawn wire undergoes the patenting process. Patenting is a type of heat treatment wherein the wire is heated at about 900°C and then quenched into molten lead at 500°C.
Step 5: Intermediate drawing takes place.
Step 6: The last step is stranding and closing. Wire and strands positioning is confirmed and closed.
Note: The process of making steel wires may vary depending on a manufacturer
Various companies produce steel wires. Global Wires Business (GWB), a division of Tata Steel, is one of the largest steel wire manufacturers in the world.
Steel wire ropes are one of the important components for many industries. Here are some of the benefits of steel wires.
Depending on the raw material used, the manufacturing process and its usage, there are many types of steel wire available in the market. Some of the popular types of steel wires are listed below:
Stainless steel wire: Stainless steel properties makes it a robust material that does not corrode quickly. Hence, stainless steel wire ropes are ideal for the use where it may come in contact with water and humidity. It is best suited for industries such as marine, architecture, etc.
Galvanised steel wire ropes: Galvaised wire ropes are coated with molten zinc. As a result, galvanised steel wire ropes display the features such as high strength, corrosion resistance, etc. Therefore, these wire ropes are ideal for general engineering purposes.
Carbon steel wire ropes: There are low and high carbon content steel wire ropes. While carbon adds strength to it compromises flexibility. Hence, low carbon steel wire ropes are used where more flexibility is required. On the other hand, high carbon steel wire ropes are used where the focus is more on strength and not on flexibility.
Coated steel wire ropes: Coated wire ropes are generally coated or jacketed with materials such as polypropylene, PVC, nylon, etc. Such coating offers protection to the steel wire against wear and tear and also corrosion.
Apart from the four types mentioned above, there are various other types of steel wire ropes. Steel wire ropes come in different sizes, such as 3mm, 6mm, 9mm and so on. Additionally, custom made steel wires are made of different types of steel and coating also differs as per the application.
Steel wire ropes are used for various purposes. Right from the creative music industry to hard-core oil and gas industry, steel wire ropes are present everywhere.
Mining: Mining wire ropes need to withstand harsh environments especially, in the case of underground mining. Therefore, these wires need to be of high quality and strong. As a result, they are made of high-carbon steel.
Logistics: Steel wires are widely used in the logistics industry. They are one of the critical components of cranes that carry bulk and heavy materials. These cranes are mainly deployed in port areas where environment conditions are humid. Therefore, it requires corrosion resistant material. Hence, galvanised steel wires ropes are usually used in the logistics industry.
Construction: In the construction industry various equipment are used to carry heavy materials such as cement blocks, and other raw material and machinery. Also, they are used in securing rebars, lifting elevators carrying materials and so on. Depending on the uses, multiple types of steel wires are used in the construction industry.
Manufacturing: In any manufacturing plant, materials need to be carried from one station to another. For which, various material handling equipment are used. These require steel ropes to carry materials that are heavy and big in size. Depending on the purpose, varied kind of steel wire ropes are used in the manufacturing industry.
Transportation: There are many kinds of wires used in the automotive as well aerospace industries. Within the aircraft or car, these wires need to withstand harsh environment such as heat, high altitude, pressure, and so on. Hence, these wires need to be corrosion resistant and capable of withstanding harsh environment. Depending on the project steel wires are chosen. Moreover, steel wires are also used activities such as transportation via trams, metros, etc.
Apart from the industries mentioned above, steel wires are extensively used in many other sectors such as oil and gas, entertainment, infrastructure, general engineering, etc.
Steel wires are one of the important products for many industries. They are available in a variety of types of steel, sizes and so on. Therefore, you need to be careful in choosing the right steel wire for your project. In order to select the right steel wire, determine the needs of your project and understand the environment the wire will be functioning in.
You need to be careful while procuring desired steel wires. Ensure you are buying it high quality products from a trustworthy supplier. Tata nexarc is one such platform to procure high-quality steel. Log on to Tata nexarc, share your requirements, get quotes from verified vendors. Try now.
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