Africa's Number One Wire Rope Steel Distributor: Galvanized, Bright and Stainless Wire Rope Compared

Africa's number one wire rope steel distributor must be able to serve a crane in Douala, a vessel in Malabo and a mine in the interior with the same quality. CML SARL organises ...

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**Africa's number one wire rope steel distributor** must be able to serve a crane in Douala, a vessel in Malabo and a mine in the interior with the same quality. CML SARL organises its stock, workshop and logistics to do exactly that. Should you buy galvanized, bright or stainless wire rope? The answer depends on the environment, the type of work and the budget. The CML SARL team explains the differences. ### Galvanized wire rope Hot-dip galvanized wires carry a zinc layer that protects them electrochemically. Even if the coating is scratched, zinc continues to protect the nearby steel. This makes galvanized rope the default choice for guy wires, mooring, fishing, outdoor cranes and structural uses in tropical coastal regions. ### Bright (ungalvanized) wire rope Ungalvanized ropes are widely used on industrial cranes, mining winches and elevators, where they run constantly over sheaves and are regularly re-lubricated. They are generally more economical, but they require disciplined maintenance in humid climates. ### Stainless steel wire rope AISI 316 stainless rope resists seawater and chemicals and needs no lubrication for appearance, which suits architectural, marine leisure and hygienic applications. For heavy lifting over sheaves, galvanized or bright carbon steel rope usually remains the better technical choice. ### Quick comparison | Criterion | Bright | Galvanized | Stainless | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Coastal exposure | Poor | Very good | Excellent | | Fat...