1 / 5

Product

AISI 316 7×7 HDD & pipe-bursting tracer wireAISI 316 7×7 (49 Strands)Up to 21,000 N (4,800 lbf) BreakHDD & Pipe Bursting

Stainless Steel Tracer Wire 7x7 AISI 316 Stainless Steel 7x7AISI 316 / 316L 7×7 stranded stainless steel wire rope with 45 / 60 mil HMWPE/HDPE jacket

Ultra-high-tensile, corrosion-proof trenchless utility locator cable (Stainless Steel Tracer Wire 7x7) constructed from 49 strands (7×7 aircraft wire-rope lay) of molybdenum-bearing AISI 316 / 316L marine-grade austenitic stainless steel per ASTM A492.

Water-resistant
Ozone, UV & moisture
Outdoor & humid
Approved
Order designation
TW-SS316-7X7-1/8-45MIL
316 SS 7×7 core
3.18 mm (1/8″ · ~8 AWG)
Min. break load
7,560 N (1,700 lbf)
Overall OD
5.46 (0.215")
Weight
61.0 kg/km
All sizes (10)
Request a quoteDatasheetWhatsApp
Engineering reply in 2 business hoursCut-to-length export drumsEN 10204 3.1 certificate per drum
Core material
AISI 316 / 316L
2–3 % Mo marine corrosion resistance
Construction
7×7 (49 Strands)
Flexible kink-free wire-rope lay
Break strength
4,100 – 21,350 N
920 lbf to 4,800 lbf tensile load
Jacket wall
45 mil or 60 mil
1.14 mm or 1.52 mm HMWPE / HDPE
Size range
3/64″ to 3/16″
12 AWG to 4 AWG equivalent OD
Service life
50+ Yr Soil Life
Zero pitting in chloride/sulfide soil

Typical values for this cable type, based on ASTM A492 / ASTM A580 (AISI 316 / 316L) · MIL-DTL-83420 · ASTM D1248 — confirmed in the datasheet and quotation for your order.

Application fit

Is Stainless Steel Tracer Wire 7x7 right for your machine?

Built for the most punishing trenchless installations—static pipe bursting, cast-iron splitter heads, cobble/rock horizontal directional drilling (HDD), and coastal salt-marsh soils.

Drilling jumbo & rotary mast feed

Suitable

7×7 wire-rope flexibility and up to 21,350 N (4,800 lbf) break load survive multi-ton rock-reamer HDD pullbacks.

Trailing & towing

Suitable

Unlike solid single-wire tracer, 49-strand 7×7 rope will not work-harden or snap when pulled around tight borehole entry/exit arcs.

Immersion & wet locations

Suitable

Molybdenum-alloyed AISI 316 stainless steel resists chloride pitting and H2S sewer gas even if a pipe-bursting shard scores the jacket.

Fixed installation

Suitable

Coils effortlessly inside valve boxes and locator pedestals without solid-wire springback.

Typical machinesTrenchless Static & Pneumatic Pipe-Bursting Sewer/Water ReplacementHard-Rock & Cobble Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)Subaqueous River-Crossing & Coastal Salt-Marsh HDD BoresHigh-Sulfide Sanitary Force Mains & Landfill Leachate LinesDeep Slip-Lining & Swagelining Pipeline Rehabilitation

Construction

Layer by layer

Representative HDD / pipe-bursting build: 1 × 7×7 (49 strands) AISI 316 / 316L austenitic stainless steel wire rope (core Ø 1.59 mm / 1/16″ to 4.76 mm / 3/16″) per ASTM A492 / MIL-DTL-83420 + 45 mil (1.14 mm) or 60 mil (1.52 mm) virgin High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (HMWPE) or High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) jacket in APWA colours.

123
Schematic, not to scale — generated from the layer data
#LayerMaterial & reference
1AISI 316 / 316L 7×7 stranded stainless steel wire rope (49 wires)Seven 7-wire strands helically laid around a central 7-wire core in corrosion-resistant Cr-Ni-Mo austenitic stainless steel (16–18 % Cr, 10–14 % Ni, 2–3 % Mo)Delivers wire-rope tensile strength (up to 21.3 kN / 4,800 lbf), zero kinking on reels and total immunity to chloride/sulfide underground corrosion
2Primary HMWPE direct-burial moisture & dielectric barrierPressure-extruded virgin High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene or High-Density Polyethylene per ASTM D1248 rated 600 V direct burialIsolates the RF locating signal from ground and withstands jagged cast-iron pipe shards during pipe bursting and rock HDD pullbacks
345 mil (1.14 mm) or 60 mil (1.52 mm) HMWPE / HDPE rock-shield jacketAPWA colour-stabilized abrasion, rock-impingement and soil-chemical resistant outer jacketProtects underground locating signal against soil moisture, rocks and trench backfill

SS316-7X7-HMWPE (45 mil Standard HDD & Corrosive-Soil Grade)

Flexible 7×7 AISI 316 stainless core (1.2 mm to 3.2 mm core Ø) with 45 mil HMWPE jacket for directional boring and coastal utility locating

SS316-7X7-HDPE60 (60 mil Pipe-Bursting & Rock-Bore Heavy Grade)

Heavy 2.4 mm (3/32″) to 4.8 mm (3/16″) 7×7 AISI 316 wire rope with 60 mil HDPE/HMWPE jacket for cast-iron pipe bursting up to 4,800 lbf

Technical data

Ratings & operating limits

Typical values: Typical values for this cable type, based on ASTM A492 / ASTM A580 (AISI 316 / 316L) · MIL-DTL-83420 · ASTM D1248. Values for your order are confirmed in the datasheet and quotation.

Electrical

Voltage rating
600 V direct-burial insulation rating
Recommended locating freq.
33 kHz, 65 kHz, 82 kHz & 83 kHz active conductive/inductive locating
Dielectric spark test
7.5 kV to 10 kV AC 100 % in-line spark test

Thermal

Operating temperature
−55 °C to +75 °C (direct burial) · +80 °C short-term PE fusion proximity
Installation & storage temperature
−40 °C to +70 °C

Mechanical

Stranding architecture
7 × 7 = 49 individual AISI 316 / 316L stainless steel filaments
Minimum breaking load
1.2 mm (3/64″): 1,200 N (270 lbf) · 1.6 mm (1/16″): 2,135 N (480 lbf) · 2.4 mm (3/32″): 4,100 N (920 lbf) · 3.2 mm (1/8″): 7,560 N (1,700 lbf) · 4.0 mm (5/32″): 11,560 N (2,600 lbf) · 4.8 mm (3/16″): 16,450–21,350 N (3,700–4,800 lbf)
Min. bend radius
4 × OD (kink-resistant wire-rope lay)

Resistance

Corrosion resistance
AISI 316 (UNS S31600) with 2–3 % Mo resists salt water, H2S sewer gas & acid sulfate soils
Cut-through & rock abrasion
45 mil HMWPE or 60 mil HDPE jacket resists fractured cast-iron/clay pipe edges

Reference standards

Wire rope & alloy standards
ASTM A492 · ASTM A580 (Type 316) · MIL-DTL-83420 (7×7 wire rope)
Insulation standard
ASTM D1248 Type I/III Class A/C

Identification

APWA Uniform Color Code
Green (Sewer) · Blue (Water) · Yellow (Gas) · Purple (Reclaimed) · Orange · Red · Black
Surface legend
TEBAOFLEX AISI 316 STAINLESS STEEL 7X7 [SIZE] [45/60 MIL] HMWPE HDD TRACER WIRE
Customs tariff (HS)
7312.10 / 8544.49

Sizes

10 standard Stainless Steel Tracer Wire 7x7 (AISI 316) HDD & pipe-bursting builds

AISI 316 7×7 bare rope diameter, equivalent AWG size, HMWPE/HDPE wall thickness, minimum breaking load and DC loop resistance.

Rope Ø, AWG eq., break load (N / lbf), OD & resistance
Order designation316 SS 7×7 Core
mm (in. / Eq. AWG)		Jacket Wall
mil (mm)		Overall OD
mm (in.)		Min. Break Load
N (lbf)		Nom. R20
Ω/km		Weight
kg/km		Enquiry
Standard HDD & Corrosive-Soil 7×7 AISI 316 Tracer Wire (45 mil HMWPE Wall)
TW-SS316-7X7-3/64-45MIL1.19 mm (3/64″ · ~16 AWG)45 (1.14)3.47 (0.137")1,200 N (270 lbf)820.014.2
TW-SS316-7X7-1/16-45MIL1.59 mm (1/16″ · ~14 AWG)45 (1.14)3.87 (0.152")2,135 N (480 lbf)465.020.5
TW-SS316-7X7-5/64-45MIL1.98 mm (5/64″ · ~12 AWG)45 (1.14)4.26 (0.168")2,890 N (650 lbf)298.028.0
TW-SS316-7X7-3/32-45MIL2.38 mm (3/32″ · ~10 AWG)45 (1.14)4.66 (0.183")4,100 N (920 lbf)206.037.5
TW-SS316-7X7-1/8-45MIL3.18 mm (1/8″ · ~8 AWG)45 (1.14)5.46 (0.215")7,560 N (1,700 lbf)116.061.0
Heavy Pipe-Bursting & Rock-Bore 7×7 AISI 316 Tracer Wire (45 mil & 60 mil Wall)
TW-SS316-7X7-3/32-60MIL2.38 mm (3/32″ · ~10 AWG)60 (1.52)5.42 (0.213")4,100 N (920 lbf)206.043.8
TW-SS316-7X7-1/8-60MIL3.18 mm (1/8″ · ~8 AWG)60 (1.52)6.22 (0.245")7,560 N (1,700 lbf)116.068.5
TW-SS316-7X7-5/32-45MIL3.97 mm (5/32″ · ~6 AWG)45 (1.14)6.25 (0.246")11,560 N (2,600 lbf)74.590.2
TW-SS316-7X7-5/32-60MIL3.97 mm (5/32″ · ~6 AWG)60 (1.52)7.01 (0.276")11,560 N (2,600 lbf)74.599.0
TW-SS316-7X7-3/16-60MIL4.76 mm (3/16″ · ~4 AWG)60 (1.52)7.80 (0.307")16,450 N (3,700 lbf)51.8138.0
  • Typical values for this cable type; dimensions and weights for your order are confirmed in the quotation.
  • Also available in AISI 304 7×7 and ultra-high-strength 7×19 aircraft wire-rope constructions up to 21,350 N (4,800 lbf).

Quality & approvals

Testing & inspection

Routine tests on every production length, sample and type tests per batch — documented on an EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate.

  1. ConductorClass 5 stranding
  2. Spark test100 % in-line
  3. Lay-upCores, earth, fillers
  4. SheathingInner, braid / screen, outer
  5. Electrical testsAC voltage, resistance
  6. DimensionsOD, wall thickness
  7. Inspection documents & dispatchDrum & dispatch
Testing & inspectionTest value / referenceFrequency
Routine tests
Wire-rope tensile breaking load & 7×7 strand lay inspectionDestructive pull-to-break verification on every master wire-rope lot per MIL-DTL-83420Every wire-rope batch
100 % in-line 10 kV AC HMWPE/HDPE jacket spark testVerify zero pinholes across the entire 45 mil or 60 mil direct-burial polyethylene wall100 % of manufactured length
Sample tests
PMI alloy XRF verification (2–3 % Mo AISI 316) & ESCR stress crackPositive Material Identification of molybdenum content and > 1,000 h ESCR per ASTM D1693Production lot

Inspection certificate

Issued with every drum, listing the routine test results for that length.

Product approvals

ASTM A492 / A580 Type 316 & MIL-DTL-83420 7×7 CompliantASTM D1248 45/60 mil Trenchless Direct-Burial Jacket

Company certificates

ISO 9001ISO 14001ISO 45001VDE marks approvalUL / cULCE · LVD / EMC

Marking & supply

Ordering & delivery

Sheath marking

TEBAOFLEX AISI 316 STAINLESS STEEL 7X7 [SIZE] [45/60 MIL] HMWPE HDD TRACER WIRE
Delivery form
500 ft, 1,000 ft & 2,500 ft heavy contractor reels in APWA utility colours
Termination hardware
Stainless steel wedge/crimp lugs & silicone-filled waterproof splice pods
Lead time
Stock to 2 weeks ex-works

Technical documents

Downloads

PDFStainless Steel Tracer Wire 7x7 AISI 316 Stainless Steel 7x7 – technical datasheet10 sizes · construction, technical data, approvalsXLSXStainless Steel Tracer Wire 7x7 spec data (Excel)All 10 sizes with dimensions and data, for your BOM or quotation
Revision
2026-10-20
Updated
2026-10-20

FAQ

Questions engineers ask first

Not covered here? Send your drawing — an engineer replies within 2 business hours.

When should a contractor or utility choose AISI 316 7×7 Stainless Steel tracer wire over solid Copper-Clad Steel (CCS)?
Choose AISI 316 7×7 Stainless Steel in three scenarios: (1) Pipe bursting and rock HDD where jagged cast-iron shards or boulder pullbacks require flexible 49-strand wire-rope behaviour and up to 7,560–21,350 N (1,700–4,800 lbf) tensile strength without solid-wire kinking; (2) Coastal salt marshes, brackish river crossings, or high-H2S sanitary sewers where chloride/sulfide soil water would corrode exposed carbon steel if the jacket is nicked; and (3) Valve boxes where operators prefer a flexible stranded cable over stiff solid hard-drawn CCS.
Why is AISI 316 (marine grade) specified instead of standard AISI 304 stainless steel?
AISI 316 contains 2.0 % to 3.0 % Molybdenum (Mo), which dramatically increases the Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number (PREN) against chlorides (road de-icing salt, coastal groundwater) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S in sewer trenches) where AISI 304 can suffer crevice pitting.
How do utility locators trace stainless steel wire given that stainless steel has higher DC resistance than copper?
Modern electromagnetic utility locators operating at 33 kHz, 65 kHz, or 82/83 kHz couple an AC radio-frequency signal onto the insulated wire that returns via distributed capacitance through the 45/60 mil HMWPE dielectric to soil ground. At 33–83 kHz, the capacitive reactance to ground dominates the circuit impedance, allowing clear, accurate locating over standard municipal bore lengths between manholes or valve boxes.
How should 7×7 stranded stainless steel tracer wire be spliced underground?
Because stainless steel has a passive chromium-oxide surface layer, never use standard twist-on wire nuts. Use mechanical stainless-steel or tin-plated split-bolt / set-screw lug connectors encapsulated inside a direct-burial waterproof silicone-gel or epoxy splice kit.

Request a quote

Get an engineering quote for Stainless Steel Tracer Wire 7x7

Your selection and application details are copied into the enquiry form below.

01Selected sizes

Use + Add next to a size or configuration.

02Reel & motion

Add your operating conditions here to include them in your enquiry.

03Message for our engineers

Stainless Steel Tracer Wire 7x7 AISI 316 Stainless Steel 7x7

Selected sizes:


Reel & motion:
- Reel type: 
- Drum core diameter (mm): 
- Cable length on drum (m): 
- Travel speed (m/min): 
- Max. acceleration: 
- Cycles per hour: 
- Length and quantity: 
- Ambient temperature: 
- Exposure (outdoor, water, oil, abrasion): 
- Destination country: 
- Equipment and operating conditions:
Send via WhatsApp

CCS HDD & trench tracer

CCS HMWPE Tracer Wire

21% IACS copper-clad steel HMWPE tracer wire for open-trench & HDD

View productSolid copper tracer wire

Copper HMWPE Tracer Wire

ASTM B3/B1 100 % IACS solid copper HMWPE utility tracer wire

View productPE2-PA submersible wire

PE2-PA

DIN 46399 PE2-PA polyamide-jacketed polyethylene submersible winding wire

View productHV submersible magnet wire

HVWW

3.3–13.8 kV High-Voltage Wet-Winding submersible motor magnet wire

View product
DatasheetRequest a quote