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Loos and Company has over 50 years of experience in the wire and cable industry. With our knowledge and experience, we can offer the highest quality products available on the market. Our general product lines and capabilities are listed above. As a manufacturer we can provide customized products for any application. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about our products and capabilities, visit our product specific pages or contact us.

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Loos HotWire: LoosCo.com's Blog

Three Considerations When Buying Aircraft Cable

Jun 18, 2021 01:15 PM

Aircraft cable header-1

Picking the aircraft cable best suited for your applications can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be. Understanding the importance of features of aircraft cable ensure you pick the product that's right for you. While there are many options to consider when choosing aircraft cable, there are three that stand out. These are construction, material, and sourcing location. Read more to learn about these three considerations!

Cable Construction:

The construction of your aircraft cable makes a massive difference in its capabilities and performance level. What are some different constructions, and what do they mean?

Some examples of cable constructions include 1x7, 1x19, 3x7, 7x7, 7x19, and 19x7. These numbers refer to the number of strands by the number of wires in each strand. For example, 7x7 means there are seven strands with seven wires in each strand for a total of 49 wires. In other words, 7x7 cables have seven straight center strands that all have six wires wrapped around each of the seven strands. Typically, the more wires wrapped around a strand, the more flexible the cable. A cable with fewer wires, such as a 1x7 cable, is stiff, whereas a cable with more wires like a 7x19 aircraft cable has a high level of flexibility. When choosing aircraft cable, keep in mind that the construction you choose will also determine resistance and tensile strength.

Material:

There are numerous material options when choosing aircraft cable. Common materials include stainless steel, galvanized steel, and specialty alloys. Typically, when selecting stainless steel, several grades are available, such as 302/304, 305, and 316.

What are some differences and capabilities of these materials?

Galvanized Steel is dipped in a zinc-coating which gives the steel good corrosion resistance. The corrosion resistance and the cheaper cost of galvanized compared to stainless steel makes the material ideal for general applications. Alternatively, stainless steel has a lasting shine and has better corrosion resistance capabilities. Stainless steel is often stronger than galvanized steel and will tolerate various corrosive elements, including saltwater. If your aircraft cable is frequently exposed to harsh environments, then stainless steel is a common choice.

Manufacturing Location:

While many countries manufacture aircraft cable, choose a company that manufactures their products domestically to receive the best quality. We recommend buying aircraft cable manufactured in the USA that complies with Buy America, Buy American, and Made in USA standards. Meeting these standards means you are purchasing cable that is tested to perform at high levels, sourced from domestic materials, and is built to last. Also, by buying aircraft cable Made in USA you help boost the American manufacturing sector and economy!

Domestic Aircraft Cable

While there are numerous factors to consider when buying aircraft cable for your application, understanding the importance of construction, material, and where it's made guarantees, you buy the cable that's best suited to the job! Looking to buy aircraft cable today? Loos and Company manufacture cable in various constructions, materials, and sizes that comply with Made in USA, Buy America, and the Buy American standards. To learn more, please visit our aircraft cable webpage here. If you have any questions, our team is happy to help! Reach out to us by email at sales@loosco.com or by phone at (860) 928-7981.