Aircraft Cables
Aircraft cables are strands, cords, and wire ropes composed of special strength wire. Aircraft cables are used mainly for aircraft controls and various aircraft industry and military applications. The distinction between wire rope and aircraft cables is that aircraft cables are available in smaller diameters than wire rope. For example, wire ropes commonly begin at a .25 inches diameter, where aircraft cables are available with diameters as small as 3/64 inch.
There are two main types of aircraft cable. First, there are galvanized aircraft cables, which are galvanized-drawn. These cables are an economical alternative to stainless steel in mild environments. Second, stainless steel aircraft cable, made up of corrosion resistant steel wires, is the highest quality aircraft cable available. Both galvanized and stainless test at approximately the same pulling strength; however, stainless steel aircraft cables last longer under harsh conditions such as in salt water and caustic environments.
Aircraft cable is classified by the number of strands in the rope multiplied by the number of wires in each strand. For example, the notation 7 X 19 denotes that the rope has seven strands and there are nineteen wires in each strand. Aircraft cables are available in 7 X 19, 7 X 7, 3 X 7, 1 X 19, and 1 X 7 constructions.