Selden "Rusty" Wire Ropes — Instructions
INSTRUCTIONS
What causes brown "rust" discoloration on stainless steel wire rope, and how Selden says to clean it and judge whether it is serious.
DocumentSelden "Rusty" Wire Ropes Instructions
FormatPDF · 1 page · 0.1 MB
LanguageEnglish
Why Stainless Wire Shows "Rust"
| Cause | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chemical composition of the wire | For maximum corrosion resistance the alloy must be at least BS 316 C 16 (Swedish standard SS 2343), acid-proof steel, with molybdenum (Mo) not less than 2.5%, preferably 3.0%. Moist, salty and warm conditions speed up corrosion of lower grades. |
| Foreign ("xenobiotic") corrosive particles | Caught in the rope during manufacture, packing, transport or use; they discolour and attack the wire surface. |
| Other external chemical action | Air and water pollution. |
| Surface structure | A rough surface does not cause corrosion by itself but accelerates the effects above. |
Cleaning and Checking
- Rub the surface with a cloth and an abrasive scouring powder.
- If the "rust" is in spots, check carefully for corrosive particles jammed between the wires, and if found, check the surface for local "craters".
- In most cases the "rust" vanishes when rubbed and does not return.
- If you must rub hard or long, or it returns after the wire is kept moist with salt water for one or two days, contact Selden.
Need a part that isn't listed? Ask us to source it and quote the part number from the PDF.
Products in this Manual
