Would Request to know the wire rope grease recommended by Mobil, Castrol, Shell and IOC.
Amit
Reply:amit.s.roy@gmail.com

IOC: SERVOGREASE WRL 00 (PENETRATING TYPE)
SERVOGREASE WRL 2 (COATING TYPE)
RECOMMENDED FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE AND HIGH LOAD CONDITIONS
CASTROL: MOLUB ALLOY 909 (PENETRATING TYPE)
MOBIL: ARMA 798
BOTH CASTROL & MOBIL LUBES ARE "NOT RECOMMENDED" FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITION

FOR MORE DETAIL CONTACT ME AT SENDHUP@YAHOO.COM

I would recommend using a wire rope lubricant, liquid type and not a grease. Grease is going to be to thick to penetrate to the core of the rope and will only really lubricate the outside of the rope. A penetrating type wire rope lubricant will penetrate to the core and lubricate the entire bundle of individual wires.

My suggestion would be something like TRC Wire Rope Lubricant or whatever the equivalent would be in your country.

Michael,

Fully agree with you in not applying a grease!
I also looked at your product, for the flash point of 125 F (~52 C) I would guess it has some solvent or diluting agent, is that the case? We stop using products containing solvents with flash point below 104 C (~220 F) many years ago for safety reasons, for environmental pollution and more important for occupational health. To apply lubricants with solvents and have to breath hydrocarbons all over is not a pleasant job.

I would guess there are good penetrating oils for wire rope lubrication that is preventing wear and corrosion and with no solvents. A low viscosity one do you think will be adequate or high viscosity?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Otto34,

I agree that using a solvent as a carrier isn't the ideal situation but it works. The idea is that in it's "out of the can" form it is thin enough to penetrate to the core of the wire rope and as the carrier evaporates leaves a adhesive/cohesive coating to lubricate the bundle.

The problem with starting off with a higher viscosity oil would be its difficulty in penetrating the whole way through the wire rope bundle, especially on 1" or larger wire rope. Basically your left with lubricant on the exterior and not the interior.

I don't have the MSDS with me currently but if I remember correctly the carrier is stoddard solvent. I'll actually be going down to Ft. Worth on Friday for a meeting we are having with Lubrizol. I will have to mention the environmental impact and see if it could possibly be formulated with something like alcohol as the carrier. That would provide the low viscosity and evaporation characteristics.

Mr. Michael,I can not agree with your point. The moment i say grease, it does not refer to only a semi solid type material. Grease with NLGI-00 and NLGI-000 cosistency are being used in many applications where traditionally Lubricating oils were used. The use of softer grease type lubricant has also been increasing in many applications. For one such eg.refer"Grease for gear lubrication" ,J.SOc Trib and Lub engg, Page 557, sept 90.
My point is that softer grease (NLGI-00/000) can able to penetrate to the core of the rope and can lubricate entire bundle of indiviual rope much efficienty. Unlike in oil, it does not require diluent to carry the oil into the core of ropes. SOfter grease fortified with solid lubricant would take care of the rope working under severe conditions.

Cheers...


Shiva

I just don't see a NGLI# 00 or 000 grease penetrating to the core of a 1 to 2 inch wire rope bundle. It would have to soak through a 1/2 to 1 inch of the bundle to get to the center.

Many steel plants are using NLGI-00/000 grease sucessfully with out any problem for quite long period. Ofcourse application method also important.
So i dont see your problem of softer grease not penetrating thru core. Many suppliers including Shell, Rocol are supplying nlgi-00 grade grease for Wire rope lubrication.

Cheers
Shiva

Perhaps the concept of 6 month lifetime for wire ropes at steel plants to renew them is considered normal but in fact it is too short.
Can we target 1 year lifetime and see if grease lubricated or oil lubricated wire rope will hold longer?

Anybody has experience in a comparative test like this?

I really dont know much about wire rope lubrication, but I belive this Norwegian supplier has a good solution;:
http://www.masto.no/wirerope.htm

Perhaps a good penetrating oil can do the job without need of a lubricator.