Communication Steel Strand

Optical Cable Messenger Wire · Base Station Guy Wire · Zinc-10% Aluminum High-Corrosion-Resistance Coating

Figure: Zinc-10% aluminum alloy coated steel strand for optical cable messenger wire applications on communication poles

Product Overview

Communication Steel Strand, designated GJ, is primarily used as messenger wire for overhead optical cables and as guy wire for communication poles and telecommunication towers. It provides mechanical load-bearing and structural support rather than electrical power transmission.

The product features a zinc-10% aluminum-mischmetal alloy coating, providing significantly enhanced corrosion resistance compared with conventional galvanized and traditional zinc-5% aluminum coated steel strands. It is particularly suitable for communication networks operating in coastal, high-humidity, salt-spray, and industrially polluted environments.

Applicable Standards

Telecommunication Industry Standards (YD)

1. YD/T 1174-2008 — Galvanized Steel Strand for Aerial Communication Messenger Wires
   Specialized industry standard for galvanized steel strand used as messenger wire in overhead communication networks.

2. YD/T 908-2017 — Method for Designation of Optical Cable Models
   Reference standard related to steel strand components used in optical cable model designation.

National Standards (GB)

3. GB/T 20492-2019 — Zinc-5% Aluminum-Mischmetal Alloy Coated Steel Wire and Steel Strand
   Basic national standard for zinc-aluminum alloy Coated Steel Wire and steel strand.

4. GB/T 32963-2026 — Zinc-Aluminum Alloy Coated Steel Wire Ropes
   Latest national standard for zinc-aluminum alloy coated steel wire ropes, effective from October 2026 and covering Zn-10%Al coatings.

5. GB/T 45970-2025 — Steel Wire and Steel Wire Products: Zinc or Zinc-Aluminum Alloy Coatings
   General standard for zinc and zinc-aluminum alloy coatings, effective from February 2026.

Ferrous Metallurgy Industry Standards (YB)

6. YB/T 6287-2024 — Low-Carbon Steel Wire with Hot-Dip Zinc-10% Aluminum Alloy Coating
   Specialized standard for Zn-10%Al alloy coated steel wire, effective from May 2025.

7. YB/T 183-2017 — Rare Earth Zinc-Aluminum Alloy Coated Steel Strand
   Industry standard for rare earth zinc-aluminum alloy coated steel strand.

8. YB/T 098-2012 — Carbon Steel Wire for Optical Cable Reinforcement
   Standard for carbon steel wire used as reinforcement inside optical cables.

9. YB/T 5004-2012 — Galvanized Steel Strand
   General industry standard for galvanized steel strand, used as a reference where applicable.

Cable and Optical Cable Standards

10. GB/T 7424.1-2012 — Optical Fibre Cables — Part 1: Generic Specification
    General specification for optical fiber cables.

11. GB/T 1179-2017 — Round Wire Concentric-Lay Overhead Electrical Conductors
    Standard related to stranded steel components used in overhead conductor applications.

12. YB/T 124-2017 — Aluminum-Clad Steel Strand
    Standard for aluminum-clad steel strand used in cable applications.

13. IEC 61089:2014 — Round Wire Concentric Lay Overhead Electrical Conductors
    International standard issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission for overhead electrical conductors.

Figure: Finished zinc-10% aluminum alloy coated steel strand for communication messenger wire applications

Structure and Common Specifications

The most common construction is 1×7, consisting of seven stranded wires and widely used for communication messenger wire applications.

For long-span applications, 1×19 construction can be used, while 1×3 construction is suitable for lower-tension applications.

Communication steel strands are commonly manufactured with a left-hand lay, which differs from the right-hand lay commonly used for power steel strands.

Available tensile strength grades include 1270, 1370, 1470, 1570, and 1770 MPa.

The strand is designed to remain stable after cutting without excessive strand separation and is compatible with optical cable suspension hooks, tension clamps, and preformed line fittings.

Coating Classification

① Conventional Hot-Dip Galvanized Communication Steel Strand

• Coating: Pure hot-dip zinc, available in A/B/C coating classes, with Class C providing the heaviest zinc coating.

• Applications: Standard communication pole lines in inland cities and rural areas.

• Advantages: Cost-effective for conventional environments.

• Limitation: Shorter expected service life in coastal, saline, salt-spray, and industrially polluted environments.

② Zinc-5% Aluminum-Mischmetal Alloy Coated Communication Steel Strand — Galfan

• Coating: Zn + 5% Al + mischmetal.

• Corrosion resistance: Provides significantly improved corrosion resistance compared with conventional galvanized steel strand.

• Applications: General coastal and industrial environments, 5G base stations, and coastal optical cable lines.

• Reference standard: GB/T 20492-2019.

③ Zinc-10% Aluminum-Mischmetal Alloy Coated Communication Steel Strand — High-Corrosion-Resistance Grade

• Coating: Zn + 10% Al + mischmetal.

• Corrosion resistance: Offers substantially enhanced corrosion resistance compared with conventional galvanized and Zn-5%Al coated steel strand.

• Coating weight: ≥250 g/m² where specified.

• Salt spray resistance: Excellent.

• Applications: Heavy salt-spray coastal areas, hot and humid environments, heavily industrialized regions, submarine optical cable landing sections, and communication systems on offshore platforms.

• Applicable standards: YB/T 6287-2024 / GB/T 32963-2026, as applicable.

Performance Comparison of Three Coating Types

*Actual service life depends on coating mass, coating quality, installation conditions, atmospheric exposure, environmental severity, mechanical loading, and maintenance. The service-life figures above are reference values and should not be treated as guaranteed performance.

Main Applications

1. Overhead Optical Cable Messenger Wire

Used to support aerial optical cables installed along communication poles. The steel strand is commonly installed with optical cable suspension hooks and associated fittings and represents one of the main applications for communication steel strand.

2. Communication Pole, Tower and 5G Base Station Guy Wires

Used to stabilize concrete communication poles, telecommunication towers, and 5G base station structures against wind loads and overturning forces.

3. Optical Cable Distribution and Connection Facilities

Used in supporting and grounding-related applications around optical cable distribution points, optical distribution boxes, and associated communication infrastructure where applicable.

4. Submarine Optical Cable Landing Sections and Offshore Communication Systems

Zn-10%Al high-corrosion-resistance steel strand can be considered for reinforcement and support applications in submarine optical cable landing sections and communication systems exposed to marine environments.

5. Reinforcement for Certain Self-Supporting Optical Cables

Carbon steel wire may be used as reinforcement for certain self-supporting optical cable constructions in accordance with the applicable requirements of YB/T 098-2012.

Purchasing Guidelines

1. Specify the Complete Product Configuration

The purchasing specification should clearly identify:

• Model: GJ-XX

• Construction: 1×7, 1×19, or other required construction

• Lay direction: Left-hand lay

• Tensile strength grade

• Coating type: Hot-dip galvanized / Zn-5%Al / Zn-10%Al

• Coating mass or coating class

• Required dimensional tolerances and mechanical properties

2. Select the Appropriate Standard

For communication engineering projects, YD/T 1174-2008 should be considered according to the specific application.

For highly corrosive environments, specify zinc-10% aluminum-mischmetal alloy coating according to the applicable requirements of YB/T 6287-2024 and other relevant standards.

3. Pay Attention to Lay Direction

Communication steel strand is commonly manufactured with a left-hand lay, while power steel strand is commonly supplied with a right-hand lay.

These products should not be substituted without checking compatibility, because an incorrect lay direction may cause poor matching with cable fittings, tension clamps, suspension hardware, and preformed helical fittings.

4. Verify Zn-10%Al Coating Composition

For Zn-10%Al alloy coated products, request a coating composition test report and verify that the aluminum content meets the specified requirements.

Where a target aluminum content of 9%–11% is specified by the project or purchasing specification, the supplied product should be verified against the applicable test method and standard requirements.

Key Product Features

• High tensile strength: Suitable for overhead cable support and guying applications.

• Reliable mechanical support: Designed to withstand tensile loads and environmental forces.

• Enhanced corrosion resistance: Zn-Al alloy coatings provide improved protection compared with conventional galvanized coatings.

• High-corrosion-resistance option: Zn-10%Al-mischmetal coating is suitable for severe coastal and industrial environments.

• Multiple specifications: Available in different strand constructions, diameters, tensile strength grades, and coating requirements.

• Fitting compatibility: Suitable for use with optical cable hooks, tension clamps, and preformed line fittings when properly specified.

• Application flexibility: Suitable for communication poles, telecom towers, 5G base stations, aerial optical cables, and other telecommunications infrastructure.