Study on the failure of guide ropes used in mines

• Published in: Insight (Northampton) Vol. 63; no. 6; pp. 357 - 361
• Main Authors: Singh, M K, Mallick, M, Verma, M K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing 01.06.2021
• Subjects: Corrosion On Steel Guide Rope; Guide Rope Failure; Steel Guide Rope; Wear
• ISSN: 1354-2575
• DOI: 10.1784/insi.2021.63.6.357

The skips/cages in mine hoisting have to be guided to achieve high hoisting rates. Steel guide ropes are used in hoisting because they can safely guide the skips/cages and have been observed to be economical. Guide ropes are static in nature and are thus more prone to corrosion. An investigation into the causes of failure of a guide rope is discussed in this paper. The study consists of physical examination, examination of wear and corrosion, macro- and micro-examination, examination of the breaking load and individual tensile strength measurement of the rod. The main cause of failure is found to be corrosion. Heavy abrasion and corrosion together causes a substantial reduction in diameter of more than 60%. Corrosion raises the stress level and thereby weakens the grains, which is indicated by the cracks that have developed all along the grains as revealed through micro-examination. This affects the breaking strength and reveals a 37% loss of strength, as a result of which failure occurs.