How To Choose A Wire Rope Lubricant
Apr 18, 2023
How to Choose A Wire Rope Lubricant
When using wire ropes, regular inspections should be carried out according to relevant regulations, and records should be made.
The inspection content includes: wire rope wear, broken wire, corrosion, lubrication, deformation, etc., connecting parts or fastening parts at the end, and other abnormal phenomena.
The steel wire rope slides on the pulleys, reels, wire pulleys and other components. After the friction of the steel wire rope, the components are easily ground out of grooves, which accelerates the wear of the steel wire rope. Sometimes the wear of the pulley will deform the wire rope and cause bending fatigue.
1. The role of wire rope lubricants
There are 4 main functions:
Reduce the possibility of friction, wear and fracture caused by the flexion and stretching of wire ropes, between strands, and between wire ropes and pulleys;
Provide internal and external anti-corrosion protection for the core, steel wire and each strand of the steel wire rope to reduce corrosion;
Increase the flexibility of the wire rope, make the load evenly distributed on the strands, and reduce bending fatigue;
The lubricant applied to the wire rope acts as a buffer between the wire rope and the pulley blocks and drums.
2. Requirements for wire rope lubricants
(1) Good fluidity and strong penetration ability.
Most steel wire ropes fail and break due to internal corrosion, so the lubricant should be able to quickly penetrate into the interior of the steel wire rope for lubrication and rust prevention. Grease can return to its place).
(2) Good water resistance.
In the open air and humid working environment, the lubricating grease is not easy to emulsify and deteriorate, which can reduce the loss of lubricating grease and prevent metal corrosion and rust, so that the moisture condensed on the steel wire rope can be separated from the steel wire rope.
(3) Wider service temperature and better adhesion performance.
Adhering to the wire rope will not be easily wiped off, does not affect the lubricating effect when the temperature changes, can firmly adhere to the surface of the wire rope at higher temperatures (<60°C), will not melt in the sun, and will not be affected by the moving wire rope Shake it off, and it won't lose or drip under high temperature. Does not crack and fall off at low temperature (below -30°C). This adhesion has a certain effect on preventing the hoist drum from slipping, especially on increasing the adhesion of the wire rope.
(4) The oil film strength is high.
The lubricant should be able to form a layer of waterproof and corrosion-resistant lubricating oil film on the steel wire rope, so that the steel wire rope can be well protected under any weather conditions, and can resist the extremely high pressure between the contacting steel wires under heavy loads , Strong self-healing ability; the steel wire rope is constantly bent and deformed during work, causing the oil film on its surface to be continuously expanded or squeezed.
Therefore, it is required that the oil film is softer and does not break, and it is easier to heal even if it is accidentally broken.
(5) Good chemical stability.
The main function of steel wire rope grease is to form an oil film on the surface of the steel wire to prevent corrosion. It cannot contain ingredients that cause corrosion. The wire rope lubricant will not react with acid and alkali, and has strong anti-oxidation ability, which can resist the erosion of salt in seawater.
3. Wire rope lubrication methods and precautions
(1) The daily storage of steel wire ropes should be protected from rain and dust, and should be stored in a dry environment to prevent mechanical damage and scratches.
Most wire ropes should be lubricated regularly according to the place of use to reduce wear and rust. Attention should also be paid to the lubrication method and the amount of lubricant applied.
(2) The most practical way to check whether the wire rope needs to be lubricated is:
Wipe the wire rope with your fingers. If you feel a slight oily touch with your fingers, it means that the wire rope is still lubricated; if your fingers are clean after wiping, it means that the wire rope must be lubricated.
(3) The frequency of wire rope lubrication depends on the amount of lubricant remaining on the wire rope, the frequency of use of the wire rope, the size of the traction force, and the working conditions such as the linear speed of the wire rope.
The best lubricating method: add less frequently, and avoid the phenomenon that the lubricant is vacuumed and dried up, cannot be checked normally, and the wire rope brake device slips.
(4) The steel wire rope in use should be thoroughly cleaned and then lubricated. Compressed air and wire rope brushes can be used to remove dust, moisture, impurities and rust caused by lubrication failures accumulated on the wire rope, otherwise they will block the lubricant. Complete penetration inside the rope.
The use of heated lubricating grease and solvent can soften the old lubricant on the wire rope and make it flow down, and at the same time, the impurities accumulated on it can be removed and settled down.
(5) The application method of steel wire rope lubricant generally includes various methods such as dripping, pouring, wiping, smearing, spraying and oil bath. .
All the steel wire ropes that work in circulation should be coated, and the steel wire rope should slowly pass through the pulley blocks or drums when coating, so as to ensure the penetration of the lubricant in the steel wire rope.
When using wire ropes, regular inspections should be carried out according to relevant regulations, and records should be made.
The inspection content includes: wire rope wear, broken wire, corrosion, lubrication, deformation, etc., connecting parts or fastening parts at the end, and other abnormal phenomena. The steel wire rope slides on the pulleys, reels, wire pulleys and other components. After the friction of the steel wire rope, the components are easily ground out of grooves, which accelerates the wear of the steel wire rope. Sometimes the wear of the pulley will deform the wire rope and cause bending fatigue.
Therefore, these components must be carefully checked, and if they are not suitable, they must be replaced or repaired immediately.
