A wire strand (10) comprises a plurality of wires (12, 16, 20). The wires comprise a central king wire (12), a first layer (14) of wires (16) arranged around the king wire, and a second layer (18) of wires (20) arranged around the first layer. The king wire is formed of steel having a carbon content of at least 0.3 wt %. Each wire of the first layer is formed of steel having a carbon content which is less than the carbon content of the king wire. Each wire of the second layer is formed of steel having a carbon content which is greater than, or the same as, the carbon content of the wires of the first layer.

A wire strand (10) comprises a plurality of wires (12, 16, 20). The wires comprise a central king wire (12), a first layer (14) of wires (16) arranged around the king wire, and a second layer (18) of wires (20) arranged around the first layer. The king wire is formed of steel having a carbon content of at least 0.3 wt %. Each wire of the first layer is formed of steel having a carbon content which is less than the carbon content of the king wire. Each wire of the second layer is formed of steel having a carbon content which is greater than, or the same as, the carbon content of the wires of the first layer.

A cable includes a core with a plurality of first wires made of carbon steel and a plurality of strands surrounding the core. Each strand includes a plurality of second wires made of stainless steel. The cable has a maximum cross-sectional dimension less than 2 millimeters.

A rope having a core for providing strength to the rope, where at least a metal or composite woven or warp knitted fabric having multiple substantially parallel elongated metal elements is provided around the core for protecting said core from impact and cutting, and where the multiple substantially parallel elongated elements are in the warp direction and held by yarns.

A rope having a core for providing strength to the rope, where at least a metal or composite woven or warp knitted fabric having multiple substantially parallel elongated metal elements is provided around the core for protecting said core from impact and cutting, and where the multiple substantially parallel elongated elements are in the warp direction and held by yarns.

A cable includes a core with a plurality of first wires made of carbon steel and a plurality of strands surrounding the core. Each strand includes a plurality of second wires made of stainless steel. The cable has a maximum cross-sectional dimension less than 2 millimeters.

A rope having a core for providing strength to the rope, where at least a metal or composite woven or warp knitted fabric having multiple substantially parallel elongated metal elements is provided around the core for protecting said core from impact and cutting, and where the multiple substantially parallel elongated elements are in the warp direction and held by yarns.

A rope having a core for providing strength to the rope, where at least a metal or composite woven or warp knitted fabric having multiple substantially parallel elongated metal elements is provided around the core for protecting said core from impact and cutting, and where the multiple substantially parallel elongated elements are in the warp direction and held by yarns.