Steel Wire vs Steel Strip for Cable Armouring
In short: round galvanized wire is used for round-wire armour (SWA); flat galvanized strip / tape is used for steel-tape armour (STA). Choose by the cable design and the standard it calls up.
Both galvanized steel wire and galvanized steel strip protect cables from mechanical damage and corrosion — but they suit different cable designs. Here is how to choose.
What each is
Galvanized steel wire is round, drawn wire with a hot-dip zinc coating, applied as round-wire armour around the cable core. Galvanized steel strip (tape) is flat, zinc-coated strip wound helically as tape armour.
Wire vs strip at a glance
| Galvanized steel wire | Galvanized steel strip | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Round wire | Flat strip / steel tape |
| Armour type | Round-wire armour (SWA) | Steel-tape armour (STA) |
| Typical cable | Power, telecom, submarine and larger-diameter cables | Multicore, control and instrumentation cables |
| Common standards | ASTM A641 · EN 10244-2 · BS EN 10257 | EN 10244-2 (strip) · project spec |
When to choose each
- Choose round wire for power, telecom and submarine cables, or where higher mechanical/tensile protection is required.
- Choose steel strip / tape for smaller multicore, control and instrumentation cables where a lighter tape armour is enough.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Specifying armour type without the standard, which sets dimensions, coating and tolerance.
- Mixing wire and strip requirements on one line without separating the specs.
FAQ
Which gives better mechanical protection?
Round-wire armour generally offers higher mechanical and tensile protection, which is why it is common on power and submarine cables; steel-tape armour is lighter and suited to smaller multicore cables.
Can Zhongbo supply both?
Yes — we manufacture galvanized round wire and galvanized steel strip/tape for cable armouring, to your diameter or width, coating and standard.
