New applications of compacted steel strands and wire rope

Abstract

Compacted steel strands and wire rope, characterized by high structural density, elevated fracture and fatigue strength, and high wear resistance, are widely used: in river and sea transport, in manufacturing, in construction, in oil and gas extraction, in metallurgy, in the coal industry, and elsewhere. If the properties of compacted steel strands and wire rope are improved by densely packing the cross section with metal, they may be used as lightning protectors and cables in high-temperature overhead power lines, as confirmed in tests approximating practical conditions. Computer simulation significantly facilitates the selection of optimal design and manufacturing characteristics for the compacted steel strands and wire rope and also the prediction of their performance.