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Carl Stahl Sava Industries Frequently Asked Questions

Custom Assemblies

Yes. Carl Stahl Sava Industries specializes in the manufacture of custom cable assemblies for a wide range of industries, including but not limited to medical devices, industrial, electromechanicalaerospace and defense and consumer products. Take a moment to browse our markets and expertise

Yes. Carl Stahl Sava Industries will work with you to provide samples for your application. Let us know what your needs are and we will happily help.


Depending upon your application, please consider that Carl Stahl Sava Industries offers customers a rich and detailed guide for your cable selection needs. Please take a moment to get familiar with the cables you require to satisfy your unique application circumstances.

Carl Stahl Sava Industries uses 95% 304 Stainless Steel in making cable, with the balance being 302 Stainless Steel. This is for standard catalog cables and many others for Sava customers. While Sava does use 316 on occasion and upon request, it is far less common. 302/304 is prevalent in the US, while 316 is common in Europe, Japan and other countries. 316 has slightly less tensile strength and on average about 90% of the strength of 302/304 SS. In order of increased corrosion resistance: 302, 304 and most corrosion resistant, 316.

Nylon should be used in applications over pulleys in all cases where possible. It is designed to be integrated into the cable when applied as it is pressurized into the cable stranding. Nylon has excellent adhesion to the cable. Vinyl is used for basic applications outdoors and when coating will not be used over pulleys. It is the least expensive option for coating, available in many colors and has UV inhibitors ideal for outdoor use. Vinyl has limited adhesion to the cable. FEP is a clear color (also available in colors upon request) extrusion that is vacuum formed to the cable, so it has very limited adhesion. It should not be used over pulleys, as it will quickly delaminate and come off the cable. FEP has excellent corrosion resistance to many chemicals and can be used in many environments as a result. FEP has a very low coefficient of friction as well, so it is slippery on the surface.

The smallest stainless steel cable diameter is .006” (Sava P/N 2006, SS .006” 1X7), while the largest is 3/8” (Sava P/N 2375, SS 3/8” 7X19 and Sava P/N 3375, GAC 3/8” 7X19).

Yes. Carl Stahl Sava Industries extrudes the coatings at our manufacturing facility in Riverdale, NJ. Please let us know what your application requires are and we may have the material and/or color available.

No. Carl Stahl Sava Industries is a manufacturer of mechanical cable and cable assemblies. However, some of the cable assemblies are used in electromechanical applications.

Yes. Depending on size and quantity, Sava can accommodate your metric requirements. However, generally all of our sizes are in inches. Contact Sava to discuss your production requirements.

Yes. Carl Stahl Sava Industries has a proven, standard operating procedure to test all of our cable for breaking strength, diameter and material, ensuring that all industry standards are met. Cable assemblies are manufactured and tested, as a first stage, in process inspection as well as final inspection, promising that the breaking strengths and dimensions are consistent throughout the manufacturing run.

Two kinds of stretch occur in cable: constructional stretch and elastic stretch. They are due to two different causes. To learn more about cable stretch, visit the Cable Expertise portion of our website.

Constructional Stretch

When strand and cable are made, the load at the closing head is light. Therefore, there are small clearances between the wires and strands, and between the strand and the core. The application of initial load causes wires and strands to seat properly, and a slight overall elongation of the strand or cable accompanies this section. The amount of constructional stretch is not constant for all cables, as it depends on such variables as type of construction, length of lay and other factors, including the load applied.

Elastic Stretch

Elastic stretch is the actual elongation of the wires of a strand or a cable. This is caused by the application of a load, up to the yield point of the metal, and the stretch is approximately proportional to the load applied. When the load is released, strand or cable subjected to elastic stretch returns to its approximate original length, providing the stretch has not reached the yield point of the metal.

Yes. Cable does have a tendency to stretch, depending upon the load being applied. Proof loading each cable assembly serves two purposes. First, it ensures the efficiency of the assemblies; and second, it prestresses the cable, removing some of the constructional stretch. Proof loading is generally done at 60% of rated breaking strength. The removal of constructional stretch means that frequent adjustments are not necessary to maintain proper tension in a control system. After assemblies are proof loaded, subsequent handling should be held to a minimum, otherwise the prestressing effect will be partially removed. If stretch is critical in your application, Sava suggests contacting our engineering department for further information.

Carl Stahl Sava Industries can electrocut the bare cable, which is a system to fuse the ends of the wires together. When this is not possible, it is recommended to use Sava cable cutter C07, C09 or C12, which encircles the bare cable, keeping the wires together before cutting through it. Other cable cutters are scissor-like and induce fraying before the cable is even cut. The cable can also be stress relieved or preformed. Coated cable can be mechanically cut with the Sava cable cutters mentioned above or using standard cable cutters.

Stress relieving is a process in which the bare cable is passed through a certain temperature to reduce the fraying when mechanically cut. This process also helps to keep the cable straighter when laying flat and assists in minimizing the residual oils from the wire drawing process. Cable assemblies can also be vapor degreased and/or ultrasonically cleaned to further remove any residual oils from the above process. These methods have been used widely in medical applications.

For minimum cable bending radius information, please visit the Pulleys Expertise portion of our website.

Ordering and Shipping

The minimum cable footage is generally 250’ and fittings are 25 pcs. Minimum billing is $250.

All shipments are quoted FOB Riverdale NJ, unless otherwise agreed upon.

Yes, Carl Stahl Sava Industries does accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Contact Sava to discuss your credit card charging needs.

Yes, Carl Stahl Sava Industries offers Prime Time/Expedite shipments on cable assemblies. Contact Sava for immediate assistance.

Sava generally uses Dun & Bradstreet to establish creditworthiness. When it is not available or limited, we may ask for three (3) credit and one (1) bank reference(s). If favorable, Sava can establish N/30 terms. However, Sava can also discuss COD, CIA or CC upon credit check outcome. Contact Sava to discuss your payment term requirements.


All material that is not the subject of a request for return authorization within thirty (30) days of shipment, shall be deemed accepted by the customer. Credit will not be issued for items returned without prior authorization. Contact a Sava sales associate for a return material authorization (RMA) number. All returned catalog items must be in new condition and are subject to a 20% handling charge. Note, items manufactured to customer's specifications (including cable assemblies, tools and cutters) are not returnable.

Once approved, and an RMA is provided for bulk cable, pulleys or fittings, the material will need to be inspected, counted and returned to stock. Any credits due are generally provided at month's end.

Other FAQ’s

A Certificate of Compliance is included with every order at no cost. Where chemical and physical certifications, and/or First Article Inspection Reporting is required, contact Sava.

Yes, Carl Stahl Sava Industries is certified to the latest ISO9001:2015. Contact a Sava representative to acquire a copy of this and any other credentials your project requires.

Please contact our sales team at 973-835-0882 and we will help you setup a meeting at your facility or at our manufacturing headquarters in Riverdale, New Jersey.