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Steel wire ropes

Steel wire ropes are widely used in lifting, hoisting and anchoring applications. Thanks to their high tensile strength, flexibility and wear resistance, they are used in industries such as construction, offshore, transport and general industry. Whether used for lifting operations, securing loads or structural purposes, selecting the right steel wire rope is crucial for safe and efficient operation.

At SKP, you'll find a wide range of steel wire ropes in different diameters and finishes. Depending on the application, ropes can be selected with specific properties such as increased flexibility, rotation resistance or enhanced corrosion protection.

About steel wire ropes

Steel wire ropes consist of multiple strands of steel wires twisted together to form a strong and durable rope. The construction and composition largely determine the rope’s performance characteristics, such as breaking load, flexibility and service life. Selecting the correct rope according to the application and operating conditions is therefore essential.

In addition to standard steel wire ropes, SKP also offers customised solutions such as cut-to-length ropes and end terminations including thimbles, hooks and eyes. This ensures a solution that matches your application perfectly. 

What should you consider when selecting a steel wire rope?

Choosing the right steel wire rope is essential for a safe and durable application. Several technical parameters influence the rope’s performance and service life.

Diameter

The diameter of the steel wire rope directly affects both the breaking load and the permitted working load. Together with the rope construction, it determines the overall strength of the rope. Correct sizing is crucial to avoid overloading.

Construction (e.g. 6x36, 6x19, 8-strand)

The rope construction determines the balance between flexibility and wear resistance:

  • More and finer wires → greater flexibility, ideal for applications running over sheaves or drums
  • Fewer and thicker wires → higher wear resistance, suitable for harsh operating conditions

Core (fibre core, steel core or plastic core)

The core of a steel wire rope plays an important role in the rope’s strength, flexibility and durability:

  • Fibre Core (FC) → provides greater flexibility and can absorb lubricant, helping extend rope life
  • Steel Core (IWRC) → offers higher breaking load, improved structural stability and suitability for higher loads and temperatures
  • Plastic Core (PVC) → combines flexibility with additional protection against moisture and dirt while contributing to rope stability

The choice of core depends heavily on the application and environmental conditions. In demanding or corrosive environments, the right core construction can significantly improve both service life and safety.

Surface treatment

The right finish helps extend the service life of the rope:

  • Bright → for standard dry applications
  • Galvanised → increased corrosion protection
  • Stainless steel → maximum corrosion resistance for humid or aggressive environments

Our origins: Staalkabels Put

The name SKP originates from Staalkabels Put. What started in 1975 as a specialist in steel wire ropes has grown into an established name in the lifting and hoisting industry.

That background still forms the foundation of our expertise today. The knowledge and experience we have built up over the years in steel wire ropes are translated into quality solutions and professional advice for our customers. 

 
Typical applications for steel wire ropes

Steel wire ropes are used across a wide range of industries, each with their own specific requirements:

Construction, cranes and industry

For lifting applications, tower cranes, mobile cranes and industrial installations where reliability and high load capacity are essential.

Port and maritime

For applications in ports, offshore and shipping, such as anchoring, lifting operations and towing applications, often in corrosive environments.

Transport and logistics

For pulling, positioning and securing loads, often in combination with winches and other lifting equipment.

Choosing the right steel wire rope is not always straightforward. The wrong choice can lead to accelerated wear, reduced safety or even rope failure. Our experts are happy to help you select the right rope based on your application, load and working environment.

Speak to a member of our team

 

These companies chose
SKP with confidence

Every project at SKP starts from a unique safety situation.
Explore a number of interesting customer cases.

Aertssen Lifting

Aertssen Lifting

Discover how Aertssen Lifting has relied on SKP for high-quality lifting equipment, fall protection and maximum responsiveness for almost 15 years. From wind turbines to petrochemical projects: safety, flexibility and top quality always come first.

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Veldeman Group

Veldeman Group

Veldeman Group designs and builds impressive demountable fabric structures worldwide for festivals, industrial applications and military projects, with crucial steel wire rope solutions from SKP ensuring maximum stability.

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Questions about our steel wire ropes?

Speak to a member of our team

Protect to benefit 

When business processes come under pressure, safety is often the first thing to suffer. The result: investments are postponed. But that’s when things really become risky. For your employees and for the growth of your business. Taking risks costs money, and it always will. We firmly believe that investing smartly in safety delivers direct returns in multiple ways.  

Higher 
productivity 
 
Higher
productivity

Investing in high-quality safety solutions and support reduces the risk of operational inefficiencies. Your output, productivity and ultimately your revenue will increase. 

 
A boost in
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staff turnover

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Our solutions

How else can we help you? 

 
Custom engineering

Alongside a wide range of standard solutions in stock, we also design and manufacture bespoke solutions for highly specific or niche requirements – developed by our expert engineering team.

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Maintenance and repair 

At SKP, we maintain and repair components from both our own manufacturers and others. We also test repaired items to ensure they can withstand the required loads and meet all safety standards.  

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