Wire rope and cable lubrication in Progress

Wire rope and cable lubrication – what’s important?

Wire rope and cable manufacturers typically during the manufacturing process apply lubricant to reduce friction of the strands – as well as the individual wires in the strands as the rope moves and bends in operation. As we know, in many cases wire ropes operate in demanding industries such as Mining, Marine, forestry, fishing, cranes, elevators, and no wire rope can be lubricated sufficiently during manufacture to last its entire life. That’s why it’s important to lubricate periodically throughout the service life of the rope.

In some applications the surface of some ropes may become covered with dirt, dust or other material during operation. In some cases this can prevent field-applied lubricants from properly penetrating into the rope, so it’s a good practice to clean these ropes before you lubricate them.

Reviewing the publication from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers – Lubricants and Hydraulic Fluids, 1999 they state:

Lubricant-related wear and failure. Wear in wire ropes may be internal or external. The primary wear mode is internal and is attributed to friction between individual strands during flexing and bending around drums and sheaves. This condition is aggravated by failure of the lubricant to penetrate the rope.

The fatigue life of a wire rope can be extended significantly (200 to 300 percent) through the application of the correct lubricant for the operating conditions.

When damp conditions prevail, or when severe flexing under heavy loads is encountered, a two stage lubricant application may be the most effective. Application of a lighter adhesive followed by a very heavy adhesive lubricant to seal in the oil provides the best protection. In certain ropes subjected to highly corrosive environments such as acids, alkalis, or salt water, providing a heavy impervious exterior lubricant coating to guard against corrosion may be more important than ensuring adequate penetration

      The Chesterton solution involves a 1 or 2 shot system

    - 601 CDP which is light bodied enough to penetrate to the rope’s core yet has extreme pressure additives to reduce friction as the strands move against each other.  It removes asphat and degraded OEM process oil and greases.

    - For external applications 715 Spraflex or 715 Spraflex Gold can be used to seal the wire rope and protect from rain and moisture.

715 Spraflex or 715 Spraflex Gold are elastomeric materials and benefits versus grease include

- High Adhesive and Cohesive Strength – won’t wipe off or squeeze out  

- Excellent Water wash off resistance       

- 715 Spraflex Gold has the ability to adhere to wet surfaces         

 

In addition the Chesterton system will reduce friction, protect against corrosion and adhere to every wire. It is also pliable and will not crack or separate when cold – yet not drip when warm. Heavy greases when applied to a wire rope can trap excessive grit, which can damage the rope. Old oils such as engine or hydraulic oils can contains materials that can damage the rope.

Many customers use hydraulic oils, gear oils, oem oils that are designed to reject water.  Once the rope is worn to any degree, the voids in the rope can be saturated with water.  Relubrication with paraffinic oils merely sit on the top and fail to penetrate as they cannot displace the water.

You can normally apply Chesterton lubricant by using one of the following methods:

- Drip it on rope,

- Spray it on or

- Brush it on.

Use automatic lubricator – Example Corelube

In all cases, you should apply it at a place where the rope is bending, such as around a sheave. We recommend you apply it before the rope goes into the bend as to aid penetration.  

The Wire rope’s service life will be directly proportional to the quality and effectiveness of the lubricant and use and the amount of lubricant that reaches the rope’s moving parts.

If you would like more information on the Chesterton System for wire rope lubrication please contact.

Paul Lenehan

Phone: 00353 87 4176128

Marketing Manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa

Industrial Lubricants & MRO Chemicals,

ARC Efficiency & Protective Coatings