316 SS 1 x 19 Metric Wire Rope - 5 mm Dia. (∼3/16") (4632 lb BL)

Used as standing rigging on virtually all sailboats.
1 x 19 wire is also well suited for guying and push-pull applications where very little bending is required.
It has become very popular in architectural applications such as railings on stairs, decks, and balconies.

1 x 19 wire rope has more metallic cross-sectional area and thicker wires than either 7 x 7 or 7 x 19 constructions, which makes it the strongest, but also the least flexible, of these 3 common braids.

• 316 stainless steel alloy provides increased corrosion resistance at the cost of some strength
• Note: BL (nominal breaking strength) and weight (lb/100 ft) are approximate
• Rule of thumb is for the application load not to exceed 20% of the breaking load


Heavy on the technical side...

Which alloy to choose?
If you have a choice between the most common marine stainless steel alloys — 304 and 316 — which should you choose?

304* is the stronger (by about 15%) and more economical of the two alloys commonly used for rigging. In the middle range of corrosion resistance provided by stainless steels, it is often used for rigging on boats in cooler climates, like the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
316 stainless steel alloy provides increased corrosion resistance at the cost of some strength. It is the alloy of choice for rigging — especially in tropical climates where higher temperatures and saltwater combine to make corrosion a significant concern.

*304 stainless steel is also referred to as "18/8", denoting its 18% chromium and 8% nickel components.
316 alloy adds 2 -3% molybdenum to the basic 304 formulation to increase resistance to pitting caused by chlorides.
Reference: ASM Specialty Handbook - Stainless Steels; ASM International, 1994