Ungalvanized wire rope is one kind of steel rope which never went through galvanizing treatment. Different from galvanized wire rope, whose surface was fully covered with a layer to keep it resistant to corrosion, this ungalvanized wire rope keeps its pure existence: steel. It will make this wire highly suitable for that specific industrial use in which the strength and flexibility are highly necessary over resistance to corrosion.
Difference Between Ungalvanized and Galvanized Wire Rope
The major difference between ungalvanized and galvanized wire rope is the coating for protection purposes. The galvanized wire rope is treated with zinc which protects it from rust and corrosion if the surrounding atmosphere contains moisture in fairly high percentages. While this type does not have this coating and hence has a tendency to corrode easily, its tensile strength and flexibility are better.
Ungalvanized wire rope is normally applied in the cases when the exposition of the rope to bad weather conditions or moisture may not be so intensive.
Typical applications include:
Heavy lifts and rigging at building sites
Mining and excavating equipment
Hoisting operation in marine and offshore
Industrial machinery, requiring flexible and durable wire ropes
Although ungalvanized wire ropes lack somewhat in corrosion resistance compared to galvanized ones, there are a number of important advantages. For example, it has higher strength: normally this means higher tensile strength compared to galvanized; it sometimes finds its use in very heavy-duty projects. The flexibility is because it doesn’t have that zinc coating, so it will be more flexible and sometimes responds rightly to dynamic loads.
Cost-Efficient: Where there isn’t that much corrosion, or the issue of corrosion isn’t that serious, the plain wire rope used usually comes a lot cheaper compared to galvanized wire.
The following types, based on the purpose and the demand of the industry for different uses, ungalvanized wire ropes are manufactured:
Single-strand wire rope: In cases where the use would be lighter.
Multi-strand wire rope: this finds its application in those heavy industries where strength is demanded in application.
Compacted wire rope: The impact of compacting gives this wire rope strength and service life.
Ungalvanized wire rope, therefore, plays a very important role in those industries that require high strength, flexibility, and economy. Though they lack corrosion resistance, ungalvanized wire ropes are superior in heavy-duty applications where the galvanized coating is not required or even needed. Selection of wire rope, therefore, involves consideration of one’s needs.
