Wire rope is composed of as few as two solid, metal wires twisted into a helix that forms a composite rope, in a pattern known as laid rope. Larger diameter wire rope consists of multiple strands of such laid rope in a pattern known as cable laid. Manufactured using an industrial machine known as a strander, the wires are fed through a series of barrels and spun into their final composite orientation.
Inside view of a wind turbine tower, showing the wire ropes used as tendons
Left-hand ordinary lay (LHOL) wire rope (close-up). Right-hand lay strands are laid into a left-hand lay rope.
Right-hand lang lay (RHLL) wire rope (close-up). Right-hand lay strands are laid into a right-hand lay rope.
Right-hand ordinary lay (RHOL) wire rope terminated in a loop with a thimble and ferrule
A wire is a flexible, round, bar of metal.
Overhead power cabling. The conductor consists of seven strands of steel (centre, high tensile strength), surrounded by four outer layers of aluminium (high conductivity). Sample diameter 40 mm
Wire wrapped jewelry
Sophie Ryder's galvanised wire sculpture Sitting at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Coaxial cable, one example of a jacketed and insulated wire