As with all other products used in industrial use wire rope also requires regular maintenance to ensure it has good longevity. This involves using wire rope lubricants like Viper Wrl in order to ensure it functions properly. Wire ropes form an essential component of the equipment required in various industries, like oil, marine, gas shipping, and more. From mining to construction, wire ropes are used for lifting or pulling massive loads. They also offer the flexibility of wire ropes, and very little or no sound.
There are a variety of ways to extend the life of wire ropes, maximizing their performance. From the proper storage, and the right methods for handling and making use of top-quality lubricants it is essential to make sure that your ropes are in excellent condition.
The main reasons to lubricate wire rope include:
- Reduces friction between wire Strands
- Interior and exterior protection against corrosion
What are the Different Types of Wire Rope Lubricants?
There are two kinds of coatings: penetrating and penetrating.
Penetrating Lubricant is a solvent that is carried into the wire’s innermost part. The rope. Then it evaporates leaving behind an opaque film that covers each wire strand.
Lubricants coated with coatings can penetrate, but also protect the exterior cables from rust and corrosion.
For wire ropes that have an inner fiber core petrolatum and mineral oils are used to provide lubrication to the core. This then acts as a reservoir to provide long-lasting lubrication of the core when it is in use. When the rope has steel cores the oil or grease-type oil lubricants are applied to the wires before being twisted into strands, to ensure the best coverage.
What Factors Affect the Quality of My Wire Rope?
Corrosion This happens naturally causes damage and increases the loss of metal. This can be caused by fumes and humidity, as well as elevated temperatures or other factors.
Types of operations Certain types of operations put greater stress on wire ropes than others.
Rate of wear: High loads, acceleration that stops and starts the cable, and frequent use all contribute to a higher wear rate.
Unsafe practices can include incorrect winding and splicing as well as improper storage conditions.
Why is the lubrication of wires important?
- While it is evident that proper lubrication is an essential element in prolonging rope lifespan, providing the right combination of properties in one product can be a huge problem. A high-quality lubricant for wire rope should:
Excellent corrosion protection
Maximize penetration to ensure the lubrication of your equipment and
The rope core is protected
Easy, pleasant, and secure to use
Resist fling-off and wash-off
Reducing friction, wear and tear
Reduced friction in the internal area during the removal and application of load and the tension of the rope on drums and sheaves is essential. It is widely accepted that the lifetime of bend fatigue of a rope lubricated could be as high as 60% more than that of a rope without lubrication.
Ensuring the rope is protected from extremely corrosive conditions that are encountered in marine environments as well as other types of environments is a further important factor to take into consideration. While ropes appear to be good, the corrosion of the core can not be noticed, leading to an extremely risky situation.
The potential savings in time and money, in addition to increased operational safety, means that proper lubrication in-service is an important aspect of the use of wire rope.