Mining Publication: Bending Fatigue Tests 2 and 3 on 2-Inch 6x25 Fiber Core Wire Rope

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has established a wire rope research laboratory to examine the factors that affect the life of wire rope. Two 2-in-diameter 6x25 fiber core (fc) ropes were degraded on a bending fatigue machine. These were the second and third ropes in a series of tests on this construction and size rope. Tensile and nondestructive tests were performed on samples of the rope to determine the relationship between rope deterioration and rope breaking strength. The tests indicated that once a wire rope nears the end of its service life, both deterioration and the consequent loss of rope strength begin to increase at an accelerated rate.