ISO 17893:2004

Overview

ISO 17893:2004 - "Steel wire ropes - Vocabulary, designation and classification" defines the common language and identification framework for steel wire ropes. The standard establishes a comprehensive vocabulary for wires, strands, cores, lubricants and rope types, and specifies a designation system and a classification system to describe and group steel wire rope constructions. It was prepared by ISO/TC 105 (Steel wire ropes) and is intended to ensure consistent communication between manufacturers, purchasers and end users.

Key topics and technical content

• Terms and definitions for basic elements: outer/inner wires, filler wires, centre and core wires, load‑bearing wires, layers, stitching/serving wires.
• Wire properties: wire tensile strength grades (R), measured wire tensile strength, finish and coating quality, and mass of coating.
• Strand types and constructions: round, triangular, oval and flat ribbon strands; parallel‑lay constructions such as Seale, Warrington and filler; compacted, cross‑lay, compound and multiple‑operation strands.
• Cores and core types: fibre core (FC, natural or synthetic), steel core (WC - wire strand or IWRC), solid polymer core (SPC) and cushioned/cushioned‑core concepts.
• Rope types: stranded ropes (single‑layer, rotation‑resistant, parallel‑closed, cable‑laid, braided, flat), spiral ropes (half‑locked, full‑locked), polymer‑filled or polymer‑covered ropes, electro‑mechanical ropes.
• Lubricants and preservation: rope lubricants, impregnating agents and preservation compounds for corrosion protection and internal friction reduction.
• Dimensions and nomenclature: definitions for wire and strand dimensions and related geometric terms.
• Informative annexes detail elements of a rope and examples of the designation system to support application.

Practical applications

• Standardizes product specification and ordering: use the designation system to create clear product descriptions on datasheets and purchase orders.
• Aids design and selection: engineers select appropriate rope constructions, cores and coatings based on classification and nomenclature.
• Quality control and testing: provides consistent terminology for mechanical properties (tensile strength grades) used in testing and performance reporting.
• Asset management and maintenance: enables clear documentation for inspection records, replacement parts and safety compliance in lifting, mining, marine, crane, elevator and cableway applications.

Who uses ISO 17893

• Rope manufacturers, suppliers and testing laboratories
• Design and mechanical engineers specifying wire rope for equipment
• Procurement and quality‑assurance teams in heavy industry, offshore, construction and transport sectors
• Inspectors, maintenance personnel and standards committees

Related standards

ISO 17893 complements other ISO documents on steel wire ropes and the work of ISO/TC 105. Refer to ISO catalogs or national standards bodies for related product‑specific or testing standards.