Drilling Wire Rope | API 9A / ISO 10425 | High Tensile Strength IPS EIPS EEIPS | Deenpu Machinery

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Drilling Wire Rope — API 9A / ISO 10425 Standard, High Tensile Strength

IPS / EIPS / EEIPS Grade • 6x19S IWRC • 16mm–44mm Diameter • 1570–1960 MPa Tensile Strength • API 9A Certified

API 9A CertifiedISO 10425IPS / EIPS / EEIPSFC / IWRC1570–1960 MPaHigh Wear Resistance

Product Overview

DEENPU API 9A drilling wire rope on industrial spools, high tensile strength steel wire rope for drilling rig and hoisting operations

DEENPU API 9A / ISO 10425 Drilling Wire Rope on Industrial Spools — Ready for Rig Delivery

DEENPU Drilling Wire Rope is a high-performance steel wire rope manufactured to API 9A and ISO 10425 standards for use in drilling rig hoisting operations, workover drilling, and oilfield lifting applications. The rope is constructed from high-strength steel wires twisted around a central core, providing exceptional breaking force, smooth surface finish, and extended service life in the demanding conditions of oil and gas drilling operations.

Available in IPS (Improved Plow Steel), EIPS (Extra Improved Plow Steel), and EEIPS (Extra Extra Improved Plow Steel) material grades, with tensile strength classes from 1570 MPa to 1960 MPa. DEENPU wire rope is offered in both fiber core (FC) and independent wire rope core (IWRC) configurations, with diameters ranging from 16 mm to 44 mm. The most common drilling line construction is 6x19S IWRC, with diameters from 22 mm to 30 mm, selected according to the rig hook load requirements.

All DEENPU wire ropes feature a high metal filling factor for maximum breaking strength, smooth surface for reduced wear on sheaves and drums, and excellent anti-extrusion performance for stability under load. The rope is suitable for left-hand and right-hand lay configurations, with both regular and lang lay options available to match specific drum and sheave requirements.

Wire Rope Constructions & Cross-Sections

DEENPU wire rope construction cross-sections showing 6x19W-FC, 6x26WS-FC, 6x25F-FC, 6x19S-FC, and 6x21F-FC configurations with independent wire rope core and fiber core options

DEENPU Wire Rope Construction Cross-Sections — 6x19W, 6x26WS, 6x25F, 6x19S, and 6x21F Configurations

Wire rope construction refers to the number of strands, the number of wires per strand, and the arrangement of wires within each strand. The cross-section diagrams above illustrate the most common constructions used in oilfield drilling and hoisting applications:

6x19S-FC / IWRCSeale construction with 19 wires per strand. Most common drilling line. Good balance of flexibility and wear resistance.
6x19W-FC / IWRCWarrington construction with variable wire sizes. Better fatigue resistance than Seale. Good for bending over sheaves.
6x26WS-FC / IWRCWarrington-Seale hybrid. Combines fatigue resistance of Warrington with wear resistance of Seale. Popular for multi-layer drum spooling.
6x25F-FC / IWRCFiller wire construction. Maximum metal fill factor. Highest breaking strength. Best for static and low-bend applications.
6x21F-FC / IWRCFiller construction with 21 wires per strand. Intermediate between 19 and 25 constructions. Good for general-purpose hoisting.
9x19S / 9x19W / 9x21Fi9-strand constructions with IWR or FC core. Higher flexibility than 6-strand. Ideal for workover and coiled tubing units.
8x19S / 8x19W / 8x25Fi8-strand constructions with FC core. Excellent flexibility. Preferred for elevator links and small-diameter applications.
34×7 / 36×7 / 17×7 / 18×7Multi-strand non-rotating constructions. Resistant to rotation under load. Essential for single-part hoisting and crane operations.
18×19 / 18x19S / 18x19W18-strand constructions with FC or IWS core. Maximum flexibility. Used for running casing and large-diameter operations.

How Wire Rope Works in Drilling Operations

Wire rope is the critical load-bearing element in the drilling rig hoisting system, performing three essential functions:

  1. Hoisting & Lowering the Drill String — The drilling line (typically 6x19S IWRC, 22-30 mm diameter) is reeved through the crown block and traveling block to create a multi-part hoist system. The wire rope transmits the pulling force from the drawworks drum to the traveling block, raising and lowering the drill string, casing, and bottom hole assembly. The rope must withstand dynamic loads from acceleration and deceleration, shock loading from stuck pipe, and the static weight of the entire drill string suspended in the derrick.
  2. Rotation Resistance & Stability — In a multi-part reeving system, the wire rope is subject to both tensile loading and rotational torque from the twist induced by the drum and sheaves. Properly selected rope construction (6x19S, 6x26WS, or 9x19S for drilling lines) maintains structural stability under load, preventing kinking, bird-caging, and core extrusion. The IWRC core provides crush resistance and prevents the outer strands from collapsing into the core under heavy loads.
  3. Wear Resistance & Fatigue Life — The wire rope passes over multiple sheaves and wraps around the drawworks drum during every trip. Each bend cycle causes internal wire fatigue. The Seale construction (6x19S) provides a large outer wire surface that distributes wear across the rope exterior, while the IWRC core resists the crushing forces from multi-layer drum spooling. DEENPU wire ropes are manufactured with smooth surface finish to minimize abrasion on sheave grooves and extend rope life by 20-30% compared to standard commercial rope.

Key Features

💪High Metal Filling FactorMaximum steel cross-sectional area for maximum breaking strength per unit diameter. Optimized wire sizing and strand geometry for superior load capacity.
🧱Smooth Surface FinishPrecision-drawn and polished outer wires reduce friction and wear on sheaves and drums. Extends rope life and minimizes damage to sheave grooves.
🛡Best Wear ResistanceLarge outer wire diameter in Seale construction distributes contact stress. Superior abrasion resistance for extended service in high-cycle drilling operations.
🔄Anti-Extrusion PerformanceIWRC core construction prevents strand collapse and core extrusion under heavy load. Maintains structural integrity during stuck pipe and overload events.
⚡High Breaking ForceTensile strength classes 1570, 1670, 1770, 1870, and 1960 MPa. EEIPS grade provides 10-15% higher breaking strength than EIPS for the same diameter.
📉Long Service LifeOptimized wire metallurgy and lubrication reduce internal fretting and fatigue. Hot-dip galvanized and zinc-aluminum coated options for corrosion protection.
✅API 9A / ISO 10425 CompliantManufactured to API 9A Specification for Wire Rope and ISO 10425. Full material certification and breaking force test certificates provided.
🔧Multiple Core OptionsFiber core (FC) for maximum flexibility and shock absorption. Independent wire rope core (IWRC) for crush resistance and temperature stability.

Applications

  • Drilling rig hoisting lines — 6x19S IWRC drilling line for land and offshore drilling rigs, reeved through crown block and traveling block
  • Workover and service rig operations — 9x19S and 8x19S constructions for workover units requiring higher flexibility and smaller sheaves
  • Casing running and completion — 18×19 and 34×7 non-rotating constructions for single-part hoisting and casing running operations
  • Well servicing and snubbing — High-flexibility multi-strand ropes for coiled tubing units, snubbing units, and service rigs
  • Offshore crane and platform lifting — 6x36WS and 6x41WS constructions for platform cranes and offshore lifting operations
  • Mooring and anchoring — 6×37 and 6×61 constructions with galvanized coating for offshore platform mooring systems
  • Drawworks and winch lines — 6x19S and 6x26WS for drawworks drum spooling and auxiliary winch applications
  • Elevator links and small-diameter hoisting — 8x19S FC for elevator sling links and small-diameter lifting applications

Technical Specifications — Breaking Force by Diameter

Diameter
(mm)		 Approx. Mass
Kg/100m		 1570 MPa
Min. Breaking Force (kN)		 1670 MPa
Min. Breaking Force (kN)		 1770 MPa
Min. Breaking Force (kN)		 1870 MPa
Min. Breaking Force (kN)		 1960 MPa
Min. Breaking Force (kN)
FC IWRC FC IWRC FC IWRC FC IWRC FC IWRC
16 109 118 150 166 159 176 169 187 179 197 187 207
18 138 150 190 210 202 223 214 236 226 250 237 261
20 170 185 234 259 249 275 264 292 279 308 292 323
22 206 224 283 314 301 333 320 353 338 373 354 391
24 245 266 337 373 359 396 380 420 402 444 421 465
26 287 312 395 438 421 465 446 493 472 521 494 546
28 333 362 458 507 487 538 516 570 546 603 572 632
30 382 415 526 583 560 619 594 656 629 694 659 727
32 435 473 598 663 637 704 676 746 715 789 749 827
34 491 534 676 748 719 795 763 842 807 891 847 935
36 550 599 757 838 805 891 855 943 904 998 948 1,047
38 612 666 842 933 896 991 951 1,049 1,005 1,110 1,055 1,165
40 678 737 932 1,033 992 1,097 1,053 1,161 1,113 1,228 1,167 1,289
42 747 813 1,027 1,138 1,093 1,208 1,159 1,279 1,225 1,353 1,284 1,418
44 820 893 1,128 1,250 1,200 1,327 1,273 1,405 1,346 1,486 1,410 1,557

Breaking force values are approximate minimum values per API 9A for 6x19S construction. Actual values vary by construction type and rope grade. Contact us for exact breaking force data for specific constructions and grades. FC = Fiber Core, IWRC = Independent Wire Rope Core.

When Ordering, Please Specify

  1. Rope DiameterRequired nominal diameter in millimeters. Standard drilling line range: 22-30 mm. Other sizes: 16-44 mm available.
  2. Construction Type6x19S (most common drilling line), 6x19W, 6x26WS, 6x25F, 6x21F, 9x19S, 8x19S, or other construction per application.
  3. Core TypeFC (Fiber Core) for flexibility and shock absorption, or IWRC (Independent Wire Rope Core) for crush resistance and high temperature.
  4. Tensile Strength / GradeIPS (1570 MPa), EIPS (1770 MPa), or EEIPS (1960 MPa). Select based on required breaking force and safety factor.
  5. Lay DirectionRight regular lay (most common), left regular lay, right lang lay, or left lang lay. Match to drum rotation direction and sheave arrangement.
  6. ApplicationDrilling line, workover line, casing line, crane line, mooring line, or other specific application.
  7. Drum and Sheave InformationDrum diameter, sheave diameter, and groove radius. For multi-layer spooling, specify drum diameter and fleet angle.
  8. Coating / FinishBright (uncoated), hot-dip galvanized, or zinc-aluminum coated for corrosion resistance. Specify for marine or corrosive environments.
  9. Length RequiredTotal length per reel or cut length. Standard reel lengths: 500m, 1,000m, 2,000m. Custom cut lengths available.
  10. Certification RequirementsAPI 9A certification, material test certificates, breaking force test certificates, and third-party inspection (DNV, BV, SGS).

Custom Manufacturing & OEM Capability

  • Custom Constructions — Non-standard strand counts, wire counts, and wire sizes manufactured to customer specifications for specialized applications.
  • Special Coatings — PVC and nylon extruded coatings, plastic impregnation, and custom color coding for identification and corrosion protection.
  • End Fittings — Pre-installed socketing, swaged fittings, pressed ferrules, and custom termination assemblies manufactured to drawing.
  • Preformed Rope — Preformed wire rope with set strands to reduce constructional stretch and improve spooling characteristics on multi-layer drums.
  • Rotation-Resistant Designs — 18×7, 34×7, and 35×7 non-rotating constructions for single-part hoisting and crane applications where rotation must be minimized.
  • Compacted Rope — Compacted and swaged wire rope with 15-20% higher breaking strength and improved drum spooling for space-constrained applications.
  • Reeling & Packaging — Custom reel sizes, reel markings, lubrication, and packaging for export shipping and offshore delivery.

Quality Control & Testing Standards

  • Each production lot breaking force tested per API 9A with certified test reports. Minimum breaking force verified against specification values.
  • Wire tensile strength tested on incoming material. Individual wire tensile, torsion, and bend tests per API 9A requirements.
  • Wire zinc coating mass tested for galvanized rope per ASTM A475. Coating uniformity and adhesion verified.
  • Complete rope diameter and lay length measured per API 9A tolerances. Ovality and diameter consistency verified.
  • Rope rotational properties tested for non-rotating constructions per ISO 17893. Rotation angle under load verified.
  • Core crush resistance tested for IWRC constructions. Core integrity under simulated drum loading verified.
  • Material test certificates (MTC) per EN 10204 3.1 provided for all wire and core materials.
  • Third-party inspection and certification by DNV, BV, SGS, or ABS available upon request.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IPS, EIPS, and EEIPS wire rope?

IPS (Improved Plow Steel) is the standard grade with a tensile strength of approximately 1570-1670 MPa. EIPS (Extra Improved Plow Steel) has a higher tensile strength of approximately 1770 MPa, providing about 10% greater breaking strength than IPS for the same diameter. EEIPS (Extra Extra Improved Plow Steel) is the highest standard grade with a tensile strength of approximately 1960 MPa, providing about 15-20% greater breaking strength than IPS. The higher grades use stronger steel wire but may have slightly reduced fatigue life compared to IPS. For drilling lines where fatigue life is critical, IPS or EIPS is often preferred; for applications where maximum strength is required and fatigue is less critical, EEIPS provides the highest load capacity.

What is the difference between FC and IWRC core?

FC (Fiber Core) uses natural or synthetic fiber (typically sisal or polypropylene) as the central core. FC rope is more flexible, has better shock absorption, and is lighter than IWRC rope. It is ideal for applications with smaller sheaves, frequent bending, and where shock loading is common. However, FC rope is less resistant to crushing and heat. IWRC (Independent Wire Rope Core) uses a separate wire rope as the core, typically a 7×7 or 7×19 construction. IWRC rope is more resistant to crushing, better for multi-layer drum spooling, more stable under heavy loads, and better suited for high-temperature environments. IWRC is the standard choice for drilling lines and heavy-lifting applications where rope stability and crush resistance are critical.

How do I select the right wire rope diameter for my drilling rig?

Wire rope diameter selection is based on the maximum hook load and the number of parts of line (reeving) in the hoisting system. The basic formula is: required rope breaking force = (Maximum hook load / Number of parts) x Safety factor. API RP 9B recommends a safety factor of 3.0 for drilling lines. For example, a rig with a 3,000 kN maximum hook load using 10 parts of line requires a rope with a minimum breaking force of 900 kN. From the table above, a 28 mm EIPS IWRC rope (570 kN) would be insufficient, but a 32 mm EIPS IWRC rope (746 kN) or a 30 mm EEIPS IWRC rope (694 kN) would meet the requirement. Our engineering team can calculate the optimal rope diameter based on your rig specifications, reeving arrangement, and safety factor requirements.

What is the difference between regular lay and lang lay?

In regular lay rope, the wires in the strand are laid in the opposite direction to the strands in the rope. This creates a rope where the outer wires run approximately parallel to the rope axis. Regular lay rope is more stable, less likely to rotate under load, and easier to handle. It is the standard for most drilling and hoisting applications. In lang lay rope, the wires in the strand are laid in the same direction as the strands in the rope. This creates a rope where the outer wires run at an angle to the rope axis. Lang lay rope has better fatigue resistance, better abrasion resistance, and greater flexibility. However, it is more prone to kinking and rotation under load. Lang lay is sometimes used for specific applications where fatigue life is critical, such as haulage ropes and some crane applications. For drilling lines, right regular lay is almost always the correct choice.

How long does a drilling line last and when should it be replaced?

Drilling line service life depends on the operating conditions, load cycles, sheave and drum conditions, and maintenance practices. A typical drilling line on a land rig may last 3-6 months of continuous drilling before requiring replacement or cut-off. API RP 9B provides guidelines for rope inspection and retirement criteria. Replace the rope immediately if any of the following are observed: broken wires exceeding API limits (typically 6 broken wires in one rope lay length), diameter reduction exceeding 10% of nominal diameter, kinking or bird-caging, core protrusion or extrusion, excessive wear or abrasion on outer wires, corrosion or pitting, or heat damage. DEENPU recommends periodic inspection at every rig move and maintains a detailed rope inspection log for tracking wear progression.

What certifications do your wire ropes carry?

DEENPU wire ropes are manufactured in accordance with API 9A (Specification for Wire Rope) and ISO 10425 (Steel Wire Ropes for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries). Each production lot is tested for minimum breaking force per API 9A requirements, with a certified test report provided. Individual wire tensile strength, torsion, and bend tests are performed on incoming wire material. Galvanized rope is tested for zinc coating mass per ASTM A475. We provide full material test certificates (MTC) per EN 10204 3.1 for all wire and core materials. Third-party inspection and certification by DNV, BV, SGS, or ABS is available on request for projects requiring classification society approval.

Request a Quote — Drilling Wire Rope

Send your rig specifications and rope requirements and we will recommend the optimal construction, diameter, and grade with a complete proposal including pricing, breaking force certificates, and delivery schedule within 48 hours.

  • EMAILSALES@DEENPU-MACHINERY.COM
  • WHATSAPP+86-15806284962
  • RESPONSEQuotation within 48 hours

Include: Rig type, maximum hook load, number of parts of line, sheave diameter, drum diameter, rope construction preference, and required length.

Request Quote & Datasheet