Can any one provide me the specification for wire rope lubricant (grease) and also suggest me the critical test data one should look for wire rope lubricants. Thank you. Shiva

We use a light grade turbine oil (ISO 32)to lubricate wire rope. Grease does not pentetrate deep into the wire rope to lubricate the center wires. We brush it on with a paint brush.

There was an article in Machinery Lubrication magazine about lubricating wire ropes check out the address below.

http://www.machinerylubrication.com/article_detail.asp?articleid=372&relatedbookgroup=Lubrication2

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Originally posted by BuckHntr:
There was an article in Machinery Lubrication magazine about lubricating wire ropes check out the address below.

http://www.machinerylubrication.com/article_detail.asp?articleid=372&relatedbookgroup=Lubrication2

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Excellent artical. For different application, like marine, mine, desert, use the philosophy to select correct oils.

Also consider where the wire rope is in use. Heavy salinity from marine applications should be your most serious issue. I know of a case where a ship hoist 'dropped' a multi million dollar navy ship as a direct result of incorrect lubrication!!
I've used the Talcor (a caltex brand) products and can report that water resistant properties are excellent.

Thank you for providing the information. I am looking for standard specification.

quote:

Originally posted by shiva:
Can any one provide me the specification for wire rope lubricant (grease) and also suggest me the critical test data one should look for wire rope lubricants. Thank you. Shiva

Hi Shiva,
have you come across Tri-Flow?

Mr.Linton
I have'nt come cross tri-flow.

Hi Shiva,
the web site address is www.triflow.co.uk
The product data sheets will be available plus case studies and other information. Any problems you can e-mail me on leea@lintonfueloils.com

Remember that with wire ropes there are two areas needing lubrication 1. The outside of the rope that rubs accross the pully or drum. 2. The inside filaments. These rub against each other and create the wear that will make a rope which appears to be sound break unexpectedly. Castrol has a wire rope lube that penetrates into the filaments to leave a lubricating film and also leaves a harder layer on the outside. It's called Molub-Alloy 909. A light version for cold temps and a heavy one for warmer temps. I've attached the datasheet for your review.

In India, I have seen wide use of Omega lubes a Bangalore based importer/manufacturer of Australian Wire Rope Lubes.

If cost is not a factor,BP Castrols Molub-alloy 909 is available in India.

Husam Adeni

You can call on 09810204892 castrol has fantastic range of open gear lubricants from Tribol/Optimol which are world class lubricant been used in the mining industry.

Have you tried Pentra Foam - Chain & Cable Lubricant by Certified Labs? This is an aerosol. We switched from Triflow. It was found that we achieved better penetration using Pentra Foam....JMO

You can contact Carl Bechem Lubricants at the following number 09313096888; we have entire range of speciality lubricants avaialable with us. Wire rope lubricants are also avaialable with us.

Castrol, Bechem,Klueber all have wire rope lubricants - question is there is no specific lube which is suilable for all wire ropes
MOLUB ALLOY 909 LIGHT is for the general application for a svere applicationlike Drag line there is MA 909 Heavy
Molykote has one MKLN and similarly there is one from Castrol MA 936 SF used as wire rope Lubricant
But again its decided by the application

Hi everybody

I represent a lubricant manufacturing company in India. We have execellent wire rope lubricant WR 100. It has fortified with special additive which make oil penetrate inside core of wire rope & lubricate properly. Also it has good water resistance & corrossion resistant properties. We supply it to mining , offshore, power & steel industries not only in india but also in overseas countries. For further details please visit our web www.mosil.com or call me on 09370149793.

Romesh Sawant
Manager - Technical Services

I think i figured out that 2% of wire rope weight should be of the lubricant.

Wire rope lubrication serves two basic functions: 1. To reduce friction as individual strands (wires) move over each other, and lubricate the core; 2. To provide corrosion protection; prevent moisture and dust entry and wear protection from rubbing with external bodies during operation.

Wire rope lubricants are of two types: penetrating and coating. Penetrating lubricant contain a solvent that carries the lubricant into the core and then evaporates leaving behind a lubricating film to lubricate the core and individual strands. Coating lubricants penetrate slightly, sealing the outside of the rope from moisture, reducing wear and fretting corrosion from contact with external bodies.

Most wire ropes fail from inside. It is important to make sure that the center core receives sufficient lubricant. Hence a penetrating type lubricant is must. Coating (asphaltic) type lubricant may be used as supplementary. Wire ropes are lubricated during the manufacturing process. Relubrication is required from time to time due to loss of the original lubricant from loading, bending and stretching of the rope. Relubrication is necessary to minimize corrosion, protect and preserve the rope core and wires, and thus extend the service life of the wire rope.

Benefits of wire rope lubrication: Abrasive wear occurs on the inside and outside of wire ropes. Individual strands inside the rope move and rub against one another during normal operation, creating internal two-body abrasive wear. The outside of the cable accumulates dirt and contaminants from sheaves and drums. This causes three-body abrasive wear, which erodes the outer wires and strands. Abrasive wear usually reduces rope diameter and can result in core failure and internal wire breakage. Penetrating wire rope lubricants reduce abrasive wear inside the rope and also wash off the external surfaces to remove contaminants and dirt. Years of field experience shows that longer wire rope life can be obtained through the use of penetrating lubricants, either alone or when used in conjunction with a coating lubricant. Practical experience at a South African mine suggests that life cycles may be doubled with this approach. At one mine site, the replacement rate for four 44-mm ropes was extended from an average 18.5 months to 43 months. At another mine, life cycles of four 43-mm x 2073 meter ropes were extended from an average 8 months to 12 months. (Data from Machinery Lubrication Magazine, July 2002. (www.machinerylubrication.com)

Properties of a good penetrating type lubricant: 1.Is flowable for easy penetration between adjacent wires in order to lubricate and protect them against wear and to keep the rope core from drying out; 2. Adhesive, does not get “fling off” during bending, loading, stretching during operation; 3. High load carrying capacity; 4. Good corrosion protection against rusting by acids, alkalis or salt water; 5. Resist softening or thinning out to the extent that throw-off or drippage occurs at high temperatures at which rope will operate; 6. Resist being washed off by water; 7. Form non-sticky films so that dust and dirt will not build up on ropes; 8. Be suitable for application by brush, drip feed, spraying, pouring on a running section of the rope, and running the rope through a trough or bath of lubricant.

Molykote® technologies available for wire rope lubrication:

1. Molykote® LT 00 Semi-fluid Adhesive Grease: Penetrating type grease with 00 consistency, with complete resistance to water available in 25 kg packs for brushing onto wire ropes. Four ball load 3200N. Provides exceptional adherence, corrosion protection and maximum continuous resistance to extreme pressures and shock loading. Contains molybdenum disulphide for wear protection of individual strands and works well upto 120 deg C.

2. Molykote® S-1004/1014 Open Gear and Wire Rope Spray: Semi-synthetic open gear and wire rope in spray cans with excellent adhesion, high load carrying capacity and good water and moisture resistance. 535 mm2/s viscosity at 40 deg C form a thick lubricating film separating metal surfaces. Four ball load 6000N. Service temperature upto 150 deg C.

Other Molykote® products that can be used for wire ropes: Underwater/ sea water wire ropes (Molykote® P40 paste), Multiple application product for wire ropes, chains and open gears (Molykote® 1122 Synthetic Grease spray), completely dry anti-friction coating lubrication for dusty environments (Molykote® 321R AF Coating Spray/bulk form).

Satish Agrawal, Channel Partners, Dow Corning. Mobile 09885149412