Wire ropes can be grouped into two broad categories by the type of central
core used. Independent wire rope core (IWRC) ropes are the stronger of the
two and offer the greater resistance to crushing and high temperatures.
Fibre core (FC) wire ropes while weaker, offer advantages in terms of
flexibility, weight and of course price.

Along with the diameter, two numbers are normally used to define the
construction of a wire rope. The first refers to the number of strands in the
rope and the second to the number of wires per strand. In general, the
greater the number of wires, the greater the flexibility of the rope. As the
number of strands increase, so the section of the rope tends towards an
even circle which is essential for the wear characteristics of ropes which
pass over sheaves.

While it is impossible to include a comprehensive list of all wire ropes in a
publication of this size, this section should be a useful reference guide for
those constructions in common use.