Wire Rope Life Can Be Maximised By Using The Right Lubricants
Wire rope lubricants have three principal functions:
- Reducing the friction as the individual wires move over each other
- Providing corrosion protection in the core, inside wires and exterior surfaces
- Preventing abrasive wear.
Abrasive wear can occur on the inside and outside of the rope, depending on the operating environment and this can reduce the rope diameter and result in core failure and internal wire breakage.
Picking the correct heavy-duty industrial wire lubricant is critical to prolonging wire rope life.
Solution
Pure Lubrication is the authorised UK distributor for Lubrication Engineers Inc (LE), supplying LE products and services. LE have formulated industrial wire rope lubricants to meet the toughest of challenges and because most wire ropes fail from the inside, it is critical to ensure the centre core receives sufficient lubricant.
When properly applied to the wire rope, the LE wire rope lubricants adhesive strength helps them remain on the rope, maintain a strong lubricating film between wires and strands and resist oxidation, water and abrasive contaminants, all while remaining pliable in use.
We recommend a combined routine of using a penetrating lubricant to saturate the core, followed by a coating lubricant to seal and protect the outer surface and for maximum core penetration and coating, we advise the use of an automatic lubrication system such as the Viper Wire Rope Lubricator.
