NLS Industries
Wire Rope Slings

Wire Rope Slings

A wire rope sling is made from twisted steel wire strands laid around a core, terminated with a swaged or spliced eye, chosen for heavy general lifting where abrasion resistance matters more than surface protection. NLS sources wire rope slings with IWRC or fiber core, terminated by mechanical swage, manufactured to EN 13414-1 and rated per ASME B30.9.

A wire rope sling is built from individual steel wires twisted into strands, and those strands laid helically around a central core, either a steel core (IWRC, independent wire rope core) or a fiber core, to form the finished rope. The construction gives it high breaking strength and good resistance to abrasion and crushing, which is why it remains the default choice for heavy general lifting even though it can mark a soft load surface in a way a webbing sling won't.

NLS sources wire rope slings in common classifications, 6x19 for a firmer rope with better abrasion resistance, and 6x36 for a more flexible rope that handles smaller sheaves and drums better, both available with IWRC for higher crush resistance or fiber core for more flexibility. Termination, how the rope's eye is formed at each end, matters as much as the rope class: a Flemish eye splice with a mechanical swage sleeve is the standard method for a rated, certified eye, giving close to full rope strength at the termination, while a hand-tucked splice or wire rope clips are lower-strength methods generally used only where a swaged eye isn't practical. Rope construction is manufactured to EN 13414-1, the safety standard covering wire rope sling design, manufacture, and termination, and rated under ASME B30.9 where a project specifies U.S. practice.

On Saudi sites, wire rope slings handle structural steel erection, precast concrete panel lifting, heavy equipment installation, and general crane rigging on airside and hangar construction, wherever the load is heavy, the surface finish doesn't need protecting, and the rigging has to stand up to repeated rough handling. A wire rope sling's rated capacity depends on both the rope class and the termination method, so two slings of the same diameter can carry different WLLs if they're finished differently.

NLS quotes wire rope slings against the required WLL, rope class and core type, sling length, and termination method, and returns a priced quote in USD. Common diameters and standard lengths typically source faster than heavy-tonnage or custom-length slings, which are more often made to order with a manufacturer-confirmed lead time.

Specifications

  • WLL range: 1 to 50 tonnes, sized by rope diameter, classification, and termination method
  • Rope classification: 6x19 (firmer, better abrasion resistance) and 6x36 (more flexible)
  • Core options: IWRC (independent wire rope core) for crush resistance, or fiber core for flexibility
  • Termination: Flemish eye splice with mechanical swage sleeve, standard for a rated, certified eye
  • Manufactured to EN 13414-1 (wire rope slings, safety); rated per ASME B30.9 where specified
  • Higher abrasion and temperature tolerance than webbing slings; can mark unprotected load surfaces
  • Typical use: structural steel erection, precast panel lifting, heavy equipment installation

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 6x19 and 6x36 wire rope slings?+

A 6x19 classification rope is firmer and more resistant to abrasion, while a 6x36 rope uses more, thinner wires per strand for greater flexibility, which handles smaller sheaves and drums better. The right choice depends on the rigging geometry as much as the load weight.

Why does the termination method matter as much as the rope class?+

The eye at each end of the sling is where the rope is most likely to fail under load if it's not formed correctly. A Flemish eye splice with a mechanical swage retains close to full rope strength, while a hand-tucked splice or wire rope clips carry a lower rated efficiency at the same diameter.

Should I use IWRC or fiber core wire rope slings?+

IWRC (independent wire rope core) gives better resistance to crushing and heat, standard for heavier or rougher handling. Fiber core is more flexible and lighter for the same diameter, useful where the rope needs to bend around smaller radii, but it offers less crush resistance.