Improvements in or relating to wire strand or rope

A wire strand or rope is drawn through reducing means whilst applying a uniform back-tension thereto, the strand or rope emerging from the reducting means being subjected to a heat treatment stage while still under tension. The reducing stage deforms the round wires of the strand or rope until they interfit in line contact with each other. The heat treatment is effected at a temperature of 200 DEG C.-400 DEG C. and is followed by a cooling stage. The reduction in cross sectional area in the range 4% to 80% and the back tension is in the range 2% to 65% of the breaking load of the strand or rope. Heating may be by induction. The strand or rope is coiled after the cooling stage and the degree of cooling is such that the strand or rope does not take a permanent set when it is coiled.