Multiple layer wire strand

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A wire strand comprising a plurality of wires, the wires comprising: a central king wire formed of steel having a carbon content in the range of 0.3 wt % to 0.6 wt %; a first layer of wires arranged around the king wire, the first layer comprising a plurality of wires formed of steel having a carbon content in the range of 0.05 wt % to 0.2 wt %; and a second layer of wires arranged around the first layer, the second layer comprising a plurality of wires formed of steel having a carbon content in the range of 0.05 wt % to 0.2 wt %.

2. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the wires in each layer are formed of steel having a carbon content that is different to the carbon content of the steel forming at least one wire of the same layer.

3. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein the wires in each layer are formed of steel having the same carbon content as the carbon content of the steel forming the other wires in the same layer.

4. A wire strand according to claim 1 wherein the king wire is formed of steel having a carbon content in the range of substantially 0.35 wt % to substantially 0.6 wt %.

5. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein the king wire is formed of steel having a carbon content in the range of 0.4 wt % to 0.6 wt %.

6. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein the king wire has a carbon content in the range of 0.45 wt % to 0.55 wt %.

7. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein the king wire has a carbon content in the range of 0.35 wt % to 0.4 wt %.

8. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a plurality of wires formed of steel having a carbon content of 0.06 wt %.

9. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a plurality of wires formed of steel having a carbon content in the range of 0.15 wt % to 0.2 wt %.

10. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a plurality of wires formed of steel having a carbon content of 0.18 wt %.

11. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises a plurality of wires formed of steel having a carbon content in the range of 0.15 wt % to 0.2 wt %.

12. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises a plurality of wires formed of steel having a carbon content of 0.18 wt %.

13. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein the carbon content of the steel forming the wires in the first layer is substantially the same for all the wires in the first layer, and wherein the carbon content of the steel forming the wires in the second layer is the same for all the wires in the second layer.

14. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein the king wire has a diameter in the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm.

15. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein the tensile strength of the king wire is between 1,650 N/mm.sup.2 and 1,950 N/mm.sup.2.

16. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein the tensile strength of each of the wires in the first layer is between 950 N/mm.sup.2 and 1,600 N/mm.sup.2.

17. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein the tensile strength of each of the wires in the second layer is between 950 N/mm.sup.2 and 1,600 N/mm.sup.2.

18. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein each of the wires in the first layer has a diameter in the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm, and wherein each of the wires in the second layer has a diameter in the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm.

19. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the wires in the wire strand is galvanized with zinc or zinc aluminum.

20. A wire strand according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the wires is coated with a plastics material.

Description

(1) Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an end view of a 1×19 wire strand;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an end view of a further embodiment of a 1×19 wire strand;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an end view of another embodiment of a 1×19 wire strand; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows an end view of yet another embodiment of a 1×19 wire strand.

(6) FIG. 1 shows an end view of a 1×19 wire strand 10, which comprises a central core wire in the form of a king wire 12, a first, or intermediate, layer 14 comprising a plurality of wires 16, and a second, or outer, layer 18 comprising a plurality of wires 20.

(7) The first layer 14 is arranged concentrically around the king wire 12, and comprises six wires 16. The second layer 18 is arranged concentrically around the first layer 14, and comprises twelve wires 20.

(8) A wire strand shown in the drawing can be made by known techniques, to wrap the wires 16 around the king wire 12 to form the first layer 14, and thereafter to wrap the wires 20 around the first layer 14 to form the second layer 18.

(9) In a first embodiment, the king wire 12 constitutes a stiffener wire for stiffening the wire strand 10. In a first embodiment, the king wire 12 is formed of high carbon steel, having a carbon content in the range of 0.3 wt % to 0.6 wt %.

(10) The provision of the king wire 12 being formed of a high carbon steel provides an advantage in the first embodiment, that it enables the wire strand 10 to lie in a position that is substantially straight when not under tension. The wires 16 of the first layer 14 provide support and flexibility to the wire strand 10, and can be formed of medium carbon steel, having a carbon content in the range of 0.15 wt % to 0.3 wt or low carbon steel, having a carbon content in the range of 0.03 wt % to 0.15 wt %.

(11) The wires 20 of the second layer 18 also provide support and flexibility to the wire strand 10. The wires 20 can be formed of medium carbon steel having a carbon content in the range of 0.15 wt % to 0.3 wt %, or low carbon steel, having a carbon content in the range of 0.03 wt % to 0.15 wt %.

(12) In at least one embodiment, the wires 16, 20 of the first and second layers 14, 18 provide the advantage that they impart sufficient flexibility to the wire strand 10 that allows the wire strand 10 to be deformed into a loop around an anchor point to allow an end region of the wire strand 10 to be secured to the anchor point.

(13) Tables 1A and 1B set out a range of diameters, compositions and properties of the king wire 12 and the wires 16, 20 of the first and second layers 14, 18 for some examples of wire strands manufactured according to embodiments of the present invention.

(14) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1A Tensile Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon strength Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (N/mm.sup.2) King Wire 0.4 to 0.43 0.35 to 0.4 0.5 to 0.8 up to up to up to 1650 to 1950 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 First layer 0.4 0.16 to 0.2 0.6 to 0.9 up to up to up to 1300 to 1600 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 Second layer 0.4 .sup. 0.03 to 0.08. 0.2 to 0.5 up to up to up to  950 to 1250 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.1

(15) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1B Tensile Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon strength Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (N/mm.sup.2) King Wire 0.6 to 0.64 0.35 to 0.4 0.5 to 0.8 up to up to up to 1650 to 1950 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 First layer 0.6 0.16 to 0.2 0.6 to 0.9 up to up to up to 1300 to 1600 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 Second layer 0.6 .sup. 0.03 to 0.08. 0.2 to 0.5 up to up to up to  950 to 1250 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.1

(16) Tables 2A, 2B. 2.1A and 2.1B set out a range of diameters, compositions and properties of the king wire 12 and the wires 16, 20 of the first and second layers 14, 18 for some examples of wire strands manufactured according to further embodiments of the present invention.

(17) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2A Tensile Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon strength Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (N/mm.sup.2) King Wire 0.4 to 0.43 0.35 to 0.4 0.5 to 0.8 up to up to up to 1650 to 1950 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 First layer 0.4  0.03 to 0.08 0.2 to 0.5 up to up to up to  950 to 1250 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.1 Second layer 0.4 0.16 to 0.2 0.6 to 0.9 up to up to up to 1300 to 1600 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25

(18) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 2B Tensile Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon strength Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (N/mm.sup.2) King Wire 0.6 to 0.64 0.35 to 0.4 0.5 to 0.8 up to up to up to 1650 to 1950 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 First layer 0.6  0.03 to 0.08 0.2 to 0.5 up to up to up to  950 to 1250 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.1 Second layer 0.6 0.16 to 0.2 0.6 to 0.9 up to up to up to 1300 to 1600 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25

(19) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 2.1A Tensile Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon strength Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (N/mm.sup.2) King Wire 0.4 to 0.43 0.35 to 0.4 0.5 to 0.8 up to up to up to 1650 to 1950 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 First layer 0.4 0.16 to 0.2 0.6 to 0.9 up to up to up to 1300 to 1600 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 Second layer 0.4 0.16 to 0.2 0.6 to 0.9 up to up to up to 1300 to 1600 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25

(20) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 2.1B Tensile Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon strength Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (N/mm.sup.2) King Wire 0.6 to 0.64 0.35 to 0.4 0.5 to 0.8 up to up to up to 1650 to 1950 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 First layer 0.6 0.16 to 0.2 0.6 to 0.9 up to up to up to 1300 to 1600 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 Second layer 0.6 0.16 to 0.2 0.6 to 0.9 up to up to up to 1300 to 1600 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25

(21) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 2.2A Tensile Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon strength Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (N/mm.sup.2) King Wire 0.4 to 0.43 0.45 to 0.55 0.5 to 0.8 up to up to up to 1650 to 1950 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 First layer 0.4 0.16 to 0.2  0.6 to 0.9 up to up to up to 1300 to 1600 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 Second layer 0.4 0.55 to 0.65 0.5 to 0.8 up to up to up to 1650 to 1950 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25

(22) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 2.2B Tensile Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon strength Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (N/mm.sup.2) King Wire 0.6 to 0.64 0.45 to 0.55 0.5 to 0.8 up to up to up to 1650 to 1950 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 First layer 0.6 0.16 to 0.2  0.6 to 0.9 up to up to up to 1300 to 1600 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 Second layer 0.6 0.55 to 0.65 0.5 to 0.8 up to up to up to 1650 to 1950 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25

(23) Each wire described in Tables 1A, 1B 2A, 2B, 2.1A, 2.1B, 2.2A and 2.2B can be galvanised with a zinc coating. Alternatively, each wire described in Tables 1A, 1B 2A, 2B, 2.1A, 2.1B, 2.2A and 2.2B can be galvanised with a zinc aluminium coating. The zinc coating and the zinc aluminium coating is provided in an amount of substantially 15 g/m.sup.2.

(24) Tables 3A and 3B show specific examples of a wire strand made according to a first embodiment of the invention, for example as shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

(25) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 3A Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt. %) (wt %) (wt %) King Wire  0.42 0.38 0.7 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) First layer 0.4 0.18 0.8 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) Second layer 0.4 0.06 0.4 0.02 0.02 0.05 (+/−0.01)

(26) TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 3B Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt. %) (wt %) (wt %) King Wire  0.64 0.38 0.7 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) First layer 0.6 0.18 0.8 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) Second layer 0.6 0.06 0.4 0.02 0.02 0.05 (+/−0.01)

(27) Tables 4A and 4B show specific examples of wire strands made according to a second embodiment of the invention, for example as shown in Tables 2A and 2B.

(28) TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 4A Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt. %) (wt %) (wt %) King Wire  0.42 0.38 0.7 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) First layer 0.4 0.06 0.4 0.02 0.02 0.05 (+/−0.01) Second layer 0.4 0.18 0.8 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01)

(29) TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 4B Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt. %) (wt %) (wt %) King Wire  0.64 0.38 0.7 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) First layer 0.6 0.06 0.4 0.02 0.02 0.05 (+/−0.01) Second layer 0.6 0.18 0.8 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01)

(30) Tables 4.1A and 4.1B show specific examples of wire strands made according to a third embodiment of the invention, for example as shown in Tables 2.1A and 2.1B.

(31) TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 4.1A Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt. %) (wt %) (wt %) King Wire  0.42 0.38 0.7 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) First layer 0.4 0.18 0.8 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) Second layer 0.4 0.18 0.8 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01)

(32) TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 4.1B Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt. %) (wt %) (wt %) King Wire  0.64 0.38 0.7 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) First layer 0.6 0.18 0.8 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) Second layer 0.6 0.18 0.8 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01)

(33) Tables 4.2A and 4.2B show specific examples of wire strands made according to a third embodiment of the invention, for example as shown in Tables 2.2A and 2.2B.

(34) TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 4.2A Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) King Wire  0.42 0.5 0.7 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) First layer 0.4 0.18 0.8 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) Second layer 0.4 0.6 0.7 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01)

(35) TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 4.2B Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) King Wire  0.64 0.5 0.7 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) First layer 0.6 0.18 0.8 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) Second layer 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01)

(36) The embodiments of the wire strand 10 described herein are particularly suitable for use in suspending articles from overhead supports, for example as described in GB2322435A.

(37) Tables 5 and 6 show the use of wires of different diameters in the formation of wire strands 10 having diameters in the range of substantially 1 mm to substantially 10.03 mm.

(38) TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 5 Wire diameter (mm) King wire 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.95 1 1.2 1.6 2 First layer 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.95 1 1.2 1.6 2 Second layer 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.95 1 1.2 1.6 2 Total Diameter of 1 2 3 4 4.75 5 6 8 10 wire strand (mm)

(39) TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 6 Wire diameter (mm) King wire 0.23 0.42 0.64 0.83 0.98 1.03 1.23 1.63 2.03 First layer 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.95 1 1.2 1.6 2 Second layer 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.95 1 1.2 1.6 2 Total Diameter of 1.03 2.02 3.04 4.03 4.78 5.03 6.03 8.03 10.03 wire strand (mm)

(40) FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the wire strand, generally designated 110, which comprises some of the features of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and these features have been labelled with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1. The compositions and diameters of the wires shown in FIG. 2 can be the same as described above in Tables 3 or 4.

(41) The wire strand 110 shown in FIG. 2 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that the outer layer 18 comprises twelve wires 20, one of which (designated 20A) is provided with a coating 22 of a plastics material, such as PVC, polypropylene or nylon. The coating 22 can be of any suitable colour, such as red.

(42) The provision of the coating 22 on the wire 20A in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 provides the advantage that the origin of the wire strand 110 can be easily identified.

(43) FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the wire strand, generally designated 210, which has some of the features of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and, again, these have been designated, with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1. The compositions and diameters of the wires shown in FIG. 3 are the same as described above in Table 3.

(44) The wire strand 210 differs from the wire strand 10 shown in FIG. 1 in that the outer layer 18 comprises a plurality of wire strands 20A, each of which is coated with a coating 22 of a plastics material, such as PVC, polypropylene or nylon.

(45) The provision of the coating 22 on the wires 20A forming the second layer 18 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 provides the advantage that all of the wires 12, 16 and 20A are protected from corrosion. The wires 20A of the outer layer 18 provide a water resistant seal to prevent water reaching the first layer 14 and the king wire 12.

(46) A still further embodiment of the wire strand, generally designated 310, is shown in FIG. 4, which has some of the features of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and these have been designated with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1. The compositions and diameters of the wires shown in FIG. 4 are the same as described above in Table 3

(47) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the inner layer comprises a king wire 12A which is coated with a coating 22 of a plastics material, such as PVC, polypropylene or nylon. The first layer 14 comprises six wires 16A, each of which is coated with a coating 22 of a plastics material, such as PVC, polypropylene or nylon.

(48) The second layer 18 comprises twelve wires 20A, each of which is coated with a coating 22 of a plastics material, such as PVC, polypropylene or nylon.

(49) The coating 22 on all of the wires 12A, 16A, 20A provide the advantage in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 that each of the wires 12A, 16A, 20A is protected individually from corrosion.

(50) There are thus described wire strands 10, 110, 210 and 310 which are made from a plurality of carbon steel wires arranged in three concentric layers. The wires in each individual layer are formed from the same grade of carbon steel as each other, and wires in different layers are formed from different grades of carbon steel.

(51) At least one of the embodiments described above has the advantage that the different carbon content of the wires provides different stiffness, i.e. the king wire 12 being formed of high carbon steel has a greater stiffness than the wires 16, 20, which are formed of medium carbon steel or low carbon steel.

(52) The greater stiffness of the king wire 12 has the effect that the wire has a tendency to lie straight, and the more flexible wires 16, 20 allow the wire strand to be looped around an anchor point to allow it to be secured to the anchor point.

(53) Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in third and fourth embodiments, the wire strand 10 may comprise a 1×37 wire strand, i.e. the king wire 12, a first layer 14 comprising six wires 16 arranged around the king wire 12, a second layer 18 comprising twelve wires 20 arranged around the first layer 14, and a third layer comprising eighteen wires arrange around the second layer 18.

(54) Table 7A below corresponds to Table 1A above but modified to incorporate a third layer.

(55) TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 7A Tensile Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon strength Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (N/mm.sup.2) King Wire 0.4 to 0.43 0.35 to 0.4 0.5 to 0.8 up to up to up to 1650 to 1950 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 First layer 0.4 0.16 to 0.2 0.6 to 0.9 up to up to up to 1300 to 1600 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 Second layer 0.4 .sup. 0.03 to 0.08. 0.2 to 0.5 up to up to up to  950 to 1250 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.1 Third layer 0.4  0.03 to 0.08 0.2 to 0.5 up to up to up to  950 to 1250 if present (+/−0.01 0.03 0.03 0.1

(56) Table 7A describes a range of 1×37 wire strands, in which all the wires, namely the king wire, and the wires of the first, second and third layers have a diameter of 0.4 mm.

(57) Table 8A below corresponds to Table 2.1A above, but modified to incorporate a third layer.

(58) TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 8A Tensile Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon strength Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt. %) (wt %) (wt %) (N/mm.sup.2) King Wire 0.4 to 0.43 0.35 to 0.4 0.5 to 0.8 up to up to up to 1650 to 1950 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.25 First layer 0.4  0.03 to 0.08 0.6 to 0.9 up to up to up to  950 to 1250 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.1 Second layer 0.4 .sup. 0.03 to 0.08. 0.2 to 0.5 up to up to up to  950 to 1250 (+/−0.01) 0.03 0.03 0.1 Third layer 0.4 0.16 to 0.2 0.2 to 0.5 up to up to up to 1300 to 1600 (+/−0.01 0.03 0.03 0.25

(59) Table 8A describes a range of 1×37 wire strands, in which the king wire has a diameter of 0.43 mm, and each of the wires of the first, second and third layers have a diameter of 0.4 mm.

(60) Table 9A corresponds to Table 3.1A, but modified to incorporate the third layer.

(61) TABLE-US-00021 TABLE 9A Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt. %) (wt %) (wt %) King Wire  0.42 0.37 0.7 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) First layer 0.4 0.18 0.8 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) Second layer 0.4 0.06 0.4 0.02 0.02 0.05 (+/−0.01) Third layer 0.4 0.06 0.4 0.02 0.02 0.05 (+/−0.01)

(62) Table 9A describes a specific 1×37 wire strand, in which the king wire has a diameter of 0.43 mm, and each of the wires of the first, second and third layers have a diameter of 0.4 mm.

(63) Table 10A corresponds to Table 4.1A, but modified to incorporate the third layer.

(64) TABLE-US-00022 TABLE 10A Diameter Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulphur Silicon Wires (mm) (wt %) (wt %) (wt. %) (wt %) (wt %) King Wire  0.42 0.37 0.7 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01) First layer 0.4 0.06 0.4 0.02 0.02 0.05 (+/−0.01) Second layer 0.4 0.06 0.4 0.02 0.02 0.05 (+/−0.01) Third layer 0.4 0.18 0.8 0.02 0.02 0.15 (+/−0.01)

(65) Tables 11 and 12 below correspond to Tables 5 and 6 above, but modified to incorporate a third layer.

(66) TABLE-US-00023 TABLE 11 Wire diameter (mm) King wire 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.95 1 1.2 1.6 2 First layer 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.95 1 1.2 1.6 2 Second layer 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.95 1 1.2 1.6 2 Third layer 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.95 1 1.2 1.6 2 Total Diameter of 1.4 2.8 4.2 5.6 6.65 7 8.4 11.2 14 wire strand (mm)

(67) TABLE-US-00024 TABLE 12 Wire diameter (mm) King wire 0.23 0.42 0.64 0.83 0.98 1.03 1.23 1.63 2.03 First layer 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.95 1 1.2 1.6 2 Second layer 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.95 1 1.2 1.6 2 Third layer 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.95 1 1.2 1.6 2 Total Diameter of 1.43 2.82 4.24 5.63 6.68 7.03 8.43 11.23 14.03 wire strand (mm)

(68) Tables 11 and 12 show the diameters of 1×37 wire strands using wires of different diameters.

(69) In a further modification, an alternative to the wire strand described in Tables 1 and 3 can be formed. In this modification, the second layer 18 may comprise six of the wires 20, having a relatively high carbon content in the range of 0.16 wt % to 0.2 wt %, for example 0.18 wt %. The second layer 18 may also include six of the wires 20 having a relatively low carbon content in the range of 0.03 wt % to 0.08 wt %, for example 0.06 wt %. The wires 20 having the relatively high carbon content are arranged around the first layer 14 alternately with respect to the wires 20 having the relatively low carbon content.