In a wire rope designation of 1-3/4 inch, 6 x 37 - IWRC, what does the number 6 represent?

In the wire rope designation of 1-3/4 inch, 6 x 37 - IWRC, the number 6 signifies the number of strands in the wire rope construction. The designation is structured in a way where the first number (in this case, 6) indicates how many strands are present in the rope. Each strand contains a number of wires, which is shown by the second number, 37, meaning that there are 37 wires in each strand. Understanding this structure is critical for identifying the configuration of the wire rope, as it affects the rope's flexibility, strength, and application suitability.

The diameter of the rope is indicated at the start of the designation, which is 1-3/4 inch, not by the number 6. The strength rating is also not represented by this number; rather, it is influenced by the entire construction, including the materials and the number of wires and strands. Thus, the correct interpretation of the wire rope's description allows for proper selection and use in applications where different strengths and flexibility are required.