Pearlitic Steel Cables in Switzerland
H. K. D. H. Bhadeshia
Some of the highest tensile strengths that can be achieved in bulk materials come from eutectoid steels.
Wires made by drawing fine-pearlite of approximately eutectoid composition can achieve a strength which is routinely
above 1500 MPa but can reach 2500 MPa. The pearlite is obtained in a fine initial state by transforming from
austenite at a low temperature by a process known as patenting.
The strength of the wire increases with the extent of cold work (drawing) and yet the material maintains
a ductility of around 20% reduction in area. The strong wires can be combined to form ropes which have major engineering applications, for example in bridges, railways and as illustrated here, cable cars for entertainment.
The photographs were taken in the Saas Fee region of Switzerland, not far from Italy.
|
|
This large cable car propels itself along a fixed pearlitic steel cable.
|
|
Steel ropes supporting cable cars, in the Swiss mountains near Saas Fee.
|
Cable car supported by steel ropes and pylons, Switzerland.
|
Infrastructure supporting the cable cars.
|
|
|
|
Infrastructure for cable cars.
|
|
These small cable cars are fixed to the pearlitic steel rope and move with the rope which winds around the route.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steel infrastructure supporting the cable cars.
|
|
Steel pylon supporting steel cables for cable cars. Protected against rock falls.
|
|
|
|
