Steel cable is not constructed out of one solid piece of stainless steel but rather a bundle of thin stainless steel wires. Seven strands consisting of 19 stainless steel wires bundled in each strand make up what is commonly referred to as 7X19 steel cable. 7X7 steel cable features seven strands of seven stainless steel wires and 1X19 steel cable is constructed out of one strand of 19 stainless steel wires. Different cables are engineered to handle certain maximum weight limits.
Steel cable can be constructed out of many grades of stainless steel; however, 304-grade stainless steel and 316-grade stainless steel are the two most widely used grades of stainless steel employed in the construction of steel cable. Grade 304 stainless steel is more durable and stronger than 316 stainless steel. Steel cable fabricated out of 304 stainless steel offers higher breaking strengths and working load limits over steel cable made out of 316 stainless steel.
The maximum manufacturer-suggested working load limits linked with steel cables refers to the maximum amount of weight that the steel cable is designed to safely hold. 1X19 steel cable made out of 304-grade stainless steel, designed to a diameter of 1/16 inch offers a 100-lb. working load limit while the same cable, made out of 316-grade stainless steel offers a 96-lb. working load limit. 7X7, 1/16-inch steel cable made out of 304 stainless steel offers a working load limit of 96 lbs. or 84 lbs. for 7X7, 1/16-inch, 316-grade stainless steel cable.
The breaking strength of a steel cable indicates the amount of weight needed to break the steel cable apart. 1X19 steel cable made out of 304-grade stainless steel and constructed to a diameter of 1/16-inch offers a 500-lb. breaking strength. The same cable made out of 316-grade stainless steel offers a 480-lb. breaking strength. 7X7, 1/16-inch, 304-grade stainless steel cable offers a 480-lb. breaking strength and 7X7, 1/16-inch, 316-grade stainless steel cable offers a breaking strength of 420 lbs.