Page 344 - The Tribology Handbook

c12 Wire rope lubrication

LUBRICATION OF WIRE ROPES IN SERVICE
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Operating Ropes working in Ropes subject to Ropes working As (3) but for Standing ropes
conditions industrial or heavy wear over sheaves friction drive not subject to
marine where (1) and applications bending
environments (2) are not
critical
Predominant Corrosion Abrasion Fatigue Fatigue-corrosion Corrosion
Cause of
rope
deterioration
Typical Cranes and derricks Mine haulage, Cranes and grabs, Lift suspension, Pendant ropes for
applications working on excavator jib suspension corn pema ting cranes and
ships, on draglines, ropes, piling, and governor excavators. Guys
docksides, or in scrapers and percussion and ropes, mine for masts and
polluted slushers drilling hoist ropes on chimneys
atmospheres friction winders

Dressing Good penetration Good antiwear Good penetration Non slip property. Good corrosion
requirements to rope interior. properties. Good to rope interior. Good penetration protection.
Ability to displace adhesion to rope. Good lubrication to rope interior. Resistance to
moisture. Resistance to properties. Ability to ‘wash off ’.
Internal and removal by Resistance to displace Resistance to
external mechanical ‘fling off’ moisture. surface cracking
corrosion forces Internal and
protection. external
Resistance to corrosion
‘wash off ’. protection
Resistance eo
emulsification
=YPf !f Usually a Usually a very Usually a good Usually a solvent- Usually a
lubricant formulation viscous oil or general purpose dispersed relatively thick,
containing soft grease lubricating oil temporary bituminous
solvent leaving containing of about SAE corrosion compound with
a thick MoS, or 30 viscosity preventative solvent added
(0.1 mm) soft graphite. leaving a thin, to assist
grease film Tackiness semi-hard film application
additives can
be of advantage

Application Manual or Manual or Mechanical Normally by hand Normally by hand
technique mechanical mechanical
Frequency of Monthly Weekly 10/20 cycles per Monthly Six monthly/
applications* day 2 years
* The periods indicated are for the general case. The frequency of operation, the environmental conditions and the economics of service
dressing will more correctly dictate the period required.

APPLICATION TECHNIQUES
/
Ideally the lubricant should be applied close to the point // ,/
/’
where the strands of the rope tend to open when passing
over a sheave or drum. /
The lubricant may be applied manually or mechanically.
7 I

I
J
n
t
I
Figure 12.5 Opening of rope section during passage
over sheave or drum. Arrows indicate the access
points for lubricant
c12.2