NEIEP Mechanics Practice Exam

What wire rope construction is known to be the most wear resistant?

1. 6 x 12 Construction

2. 6 x 19 Seale

3. 8 x 19 Lang Lay

4. 6 x 37 Warrington

The correct answer is: 6 x 19 Seale

The most wear-resistant wire rope construction is the 6 x 19 Seale. This construction consists of six outer strands each containing 19 wires, which creates a dense, compact arrangement that helps in distributing wear more evenly across the surface of the rope. The increased number of wires in the strands allows for better flexibility while maintaining strength, which is beneficial in applications with high abrasion. The Seale construction is well-regarded for its ability to withstand harsh conditions and repetitive motion, making it particularly suitable for applications where the rope is subject to significant wear and tear, such as in cranes and hoisting equipment. This type of construction provides excellent resistance to crushing and abrasion due to its geometry, which helps to reduce the likelihood of wire breakage over time. In comparison, other constructions may not provide the same level of wear resistance; for example, the 6 x 12 construction has fewer wires overall, and while it can carry loads effectively, it may not perform as well in terms of wear in some demanding applications. The 8 x 19 Lang Lay and 6 x 37 Warrington constructions, while robust in their own right, are often designed with different performance characteristics, focusing more on flexibility or spooling properties rather than sheer wear resistance.