Ropes with a plastic-coated metal wire rope core consist of a layer of strands wound on
a metal core that is coated with a sheath of plastic. Inserting a plastic filler drastically
reduces potential sliding of the various components and prevents geometric alterations
in the ropes.
Application of a plastic coating has the following purposes:
- To create a mechanical joint that fixes the reciprocal positions of the components of the rope while allowing necessary movement.
- To reduce the internal corrosion process due to reduced permeability of the rope caused by polluting agents.
- To fill the free space between the exterior strands in order to prevent wear.
The following drawing displays the structure of ropes with a plastic-coated metal core.
The type of outer material used allows continuous operation of the rope in a wide temperature
range (-35°C to 90°C) without dimensional alterations or fragile breaks.
The stabilizing effect induced by plastic coatings is especially evident when the rope is exposed to the following:
- transverse pressures
- torsion caused by wide lateral deviation angles on pulleys or drums
- shock loads.