In the manufacturing of power cables and optical cables, copper and aluminum are primarily used for conductors, while steel materials, due to their excellent mechanical strength, are widely applied in cable armoring layers and load-bearing structures, providing necessary mechanical protection and structural stability for cables. Common forms include steel tape, steel/plastic composite tape, and steel wire, making them indispensable cable materials in power cables, communication cables, and optical cable structures.
Steel tape for cables typically uses cold-rolled low-carbon steel strip to enhance the cable’s compressive and external force resistance. Its tensile strength is generally not less than 295 MPa, with an elongation of not less than 20%. Common thicknesses are 0.20 mm, 0.30 mm, 0.50 mm, and 0.80 mm, with widths ranging from 10 to 60 mm, meeting the design requirements of different cable structures. Due to steel’s susceptibility to corrosion, armoring steel tape usually requires galvanizing, tin plating, or painting. Among these, galvanized steel tape is widely used in various cable armoring structures due to its good corrosion resistance and stability. Steel tape requires uniform dimensions, straight edges, and freedom from burrs, cracked edges, or rolled edges. The surface protective layer should be continuous and complete to ensure the safety and reliability of cable operation.
Plastic coated steel tape is typically manufactured using electroplated tin steel tape or electroplated chromium steel tape as the base material, combined with a plastic layer. The base tape tensile strength is generally 300–420 MPa. This material combines mechanical strength with structural stability and is primarily used in cable shielding and mechanical protection structures, widely applied in power cables, control cables, and communication cables.
Steel wire in cables mainly serves as armoring material and load-bearing elements, used to withstand tensile forces generated during cable installation and operation. It is particularly suitable for application scenarios such as shaft installation, cross-water installation, and large-span overhead installation. Common cable steel wire is low-carbon galvanized steel wire, with a diameter range of φ1.8–φ6.0 mm and tensile strength not less than 343 MPa. In highly corrosive environments, coated steel wire can be used, which is manufactured by extruding a layer of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sheath onto the surface of galvanized steel wire, significantly improving corrosion resistance and making it suitable for submarine cable armoring structures. Additionally, stainless acid-resistant steel wire offers higher strength and corrosion resistance and is primarily used in conductive cores or braided structures of special purpose wires and cables.
Steel-based cable materials such as steel tape, steel/plastic composite tape, and steel wire play vital roles in the mechanical protection, load-bearing capacity, and structural stability of cables and optical cables. Proper material selection and strict quality control are key to ensuring long-term stable operation of cables.
ONE WORLD focuses on the cable materials sector, continuously providing stable and reliable galvanized steel tape, galvanized steel strand, steel/plastic composite tape, and other steel-based cable materials for power cables, communication cables, and optical cable manufacturing. With professional technical support and strict quality control, we help customers achieve long-term stable operation of cable structures.
Post time: Feb-27-2026