A2 Stainless Steel Wire Rope Metal Cable Rigging Clear PVC Coated 7x7 6mm - 12mm

For residential deck and stair balustrade infill panels, 6.0mm or 8.0mm wire rope is the most common choice. 6.0mm suits lighter tensioned runs with shorter spans (typically under 2m between posts), while 8.0mm is preferred for longer spans or where building codes require a higher breaking load. Always verify your local code requirements for balustrade cable spacing and load ratings before finalising your selection.

Breaking load varies by diameter. As a general guide for 7×7 A2 stainless wire rope: 6.0mm is typically rated around 13–16 kN, 8.0mm around 22–28 kN, 10mm around 34–42 kN, and 12mm around 50–60 kN. These are approximate figures — confirm the exact rated load for your specific variant before use in structural or safety-critical applications.

A2 / 304 stainless steel performs well in mildly marine environments such as coastal decks and pool surrounds. For direct saltwater immersion or highly aggressive marine environments (e.g., boat rigging in open ocean conditions), A4 / 316 marine-grade stainless steel is generally recommended for superior chloride resistance. This product is A2 grade — suitable for coastal outdoor use but not intended for continuous saltwater submersion.

The product is sold in fixed cut lengths of 1m, 2m, 3m, and 5m. If you need an intermediate length, select the next size up and trim on-site using a wire rope cutter or angle grinder with a cutting disc. Apply end ferrules or heat-shrink immediately after cutting to prevent strand fraying.

This cable is compatible with standard swage terminals, jaw-and-jaw or eye-and-eye turnbuckles, wire rope clips (bulldog grips), and aluminium or copper ferrule sleeves — provided the fitting bore matches the cable's outer diameter including the PVC coating. Note that the PVC sleeve adds approximately 0.5–1.0mm to the bare wire diameter; confirm fitting bore size against the coated OD before ordering hardware.

Thread the cable through your post drillings or fittings, attach a swage or ferrule termination at one end, then use a turnbuckle or tensioner at the opposite end to draw the cable taut. For balustrade infill, cables should be firm to the touch with minimal lateral deflection — typically tensioned to around 10–15% of the cable's breaking load. Over-tensioning can bow timber or aluminium posts inward; check post alignment as you tension each run. If unsure, consult a licensed builder or structural engineer for your specific installation.