Wire rope incorporating fluoropolymer fiber
View Patent ↗A wire rope including at least one metal wire and at least one fluoropolymer fiber. Preferably, the fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount less than about 25 weight %, and in alternative embodiments less than 20 weight %, 15 weight %, 10 weight %, and 5 weight %. The fluoropolymer fiber is preferably PTFE, and most preferably expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). The wire rope is useful in tensioned and bending applications.
1. A wire rope comprising:
(a) a plurality of strands, each said strand comprising at least one metal wire having a mass per unit length greater than 2000 denier; and
(b) at least one fluoropolymer fiber comprising expanded PTFE;
(c) wherein said wire rope is a high tension and bending stress application wire rope.
2. A wire rope as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount less than about 25 weight %.
3. A wire rope as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount less than about 20 weight %.
4. A wire rope as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount less than about 15 weight %.
5. A wire rope as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount less than about 10 weight %.
6. A wire rope as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount less than about 5 weight %.
7. A wire rope as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is a monofilament.
8. A wire rope as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluoropolymer fiber comprises a filler.
9. A wire rope comprising:
(a) a plurality of strands, each said strand comprising at least one stainless steel wire having a mass per unit length greater than 2000 denier;
(b) at least one expanded PTFE fiber;
wherein said expanded PTFE fiber is a monofilament and is present in an amount less than about 10 weight %, and wherein said wire rope is a high tension and bending stress application wire rope.
10. A wire rope as defined in claim 9 further comprising a lubricant.
11. A wire rope as defined in claim 9 wherein said metal wire is steel.
12. A wire rope as defined in claim 9 wherein said metal wire is copper.
13. A wire rope as defined in claim 9 wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is in a strand.
14. A lifting/hoisting/rigging and winching rope comprising the wire rope defined in claim 9 .
15. A control cable comprising the wire rope defined in claim 9 .
16. An electrical wire comprising the wire rope defined in claim 9 .
17. A marine and fishing rope comprising the wire rope defined in claim 9 .
18. A reinforcement rope comprising the wire rope defined in claim 9 .
19. A structural rope comprising the wire rope defined in claim 12 .
20. A running rope comprising the wire rope defined in claim 9 .
21. An electrical mechanical cable comprising the wire rope defined in claim 9 .
22. A method of making a wire rope comprising:
(a) providing a metal fiber having a mass per unit length greater than 2000 denier;
(b) providing a expanded PTFE fiber; and
(c) combining said metal fiber and said expanded PTFE fiber together to form a wire rope, wherein said wire rope is a high tension and bending stress application wire rope.
23. A method of making a wire rope as defined in claim 22 wherein said fluoropolymer fiber has a substantially round cross-section.
24. A method of increasing durability of a wire rope comprising wires having a mass per unit length greater than 2000 denier; and used in a high tension and bending stress application wire rope, the method comprising the step of incorporating at least one expanded PTFE fiber into said wire rope.
25. A method of increasing durability of a wire strand comprising wires having a mass per unit length greater than 2000 denier; and used in a high tension and bending stress application wire rope, the method comprising the step of incorporating at least one expanded PTFE fiber into said wire strand.