A GUIDE TO WIRE ROPE DAMAGE

The life of a rope depends on many factors and includes:

a The integrity of rope records and certification
b Wear and tear of rope contact points
c Operator skills

The technical characteristics of a wire rope can be easily determined of the beginning of its life cycle whilst monitoring high contact areas can also be effectively managed. Operator skills, however, are more difficult to monitor.

Typical reasons for a wire rope to be withdrawn from service are listed
below:

a Unsuitable rope composition, diameter and quality for purpose
b Ropes wound over or across each other
c Lack of regular and correct lubrication
d Use of incorrect reels and drums
e Use of misaligned reels and drums
f Use of reels and drums with unsuitable grooves and/or flanges
g Damage caused by ropes protruding from reels and/or drums
h Ropes being affected by humidity, chemicals or heat
i Use of unsuitable rope joints
j Looped ropes
k Excessive loads
l Damaged rope particles penetrating the internal structure

The following conditions should be noted when examining a rope:

a Decrease in diameter
b General wear and tear
c Lay length changes
d Traces of shock and stretch
e Corrosion
f Broken wires and their position in the rope structure




In examination, if possible, all the records should be analysed and
inappropriate points should be eliminated. Some of the hints to help

in finding possible cause for these failings are given below.

Possible causes of rope damage