Wire rope lubricant

Abstract

A wire rope lubricant having a base fluid as a majority component, and a wax or polymer as a minority component wherein at least one of the base fluid and the wax, or polymer, is biodegradable. A method of forming a wire rope having a plurality of wire strands, the method including the step of applying the wire rope lubricant between the wire strands.

1 . A wire rope lubricant comprising a majority base fluid component of a vegetable oil and a minority of a wax or polymer component, wherein the wax or polymer component comprises 2-10 wt % of the lubricant, and at least one of the base fluid and the wax or polymer is biodegradable according to the Appendix A of the USA EPA 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) regulation; and one or more additives of the group comprising: anticorrosive, anti-oxidant and anti-wear additives. 
     
     
         2 . The wire rope lubricant as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the wax or polymer component is biodegradable. 
     
     
         3 . The wire rope lubricant as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the wax is a plant based. 
     
     
         4 . The wire rope lubricant as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the wax is based on plant oil or plant material. 
     
     
         5 . The wire rope lubricant as claimed in  claim 4  wherein wax is one or more of: carnauba wax, rice wax, candililla wax, animal waxes, mineral waxes or synthetic waxes. 
     
     
         6 . The wire rope lubricant as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the wax is carnauba wax. 
     
     
         7 . The wire rope lubricant as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the wax or polymer component comprises 2-15 wt % of the lubricant. 
     
     
         8 . The wire rope lubricant as claimed  claim 1  wherein the wax or polymer has a melting point in the range 70-100° C. 
     
     
         9 . The wire rope lubricant as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the base fluid is biodegradable oil. 
     
     
         10 . The wire rope lubricant as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the base fluid has a viscosity in the range 450-2000 cSt at 40° C. 
     
     
         11 . The wire rope lubricant as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the base fluid has a viscosity in the range 800-900 cSt at 40° C. 
     
     
         12 . The wire rope lubricant as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the lubricant includes one or more additives of: anticorrosive, anti-oxidant or anti-wear additives. 
     
     
         13 . The wire rope lubricant as claimed in  claim 1  having the formula:
 base fluid 88-91 wt %; 
 carnauba wax 8-10 wt %; and 
 additives q.s. 
 
     
     
         14 . The wire rope lubricant as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the lubricant is an offshore lubricant. 
     
     
         15 . A method of forming a wire rope having a plurality of wire strands comprising:
 the step of applying the wire rope lubricant of  claim 1  between the wire strands.   
     
     
         16 . A wire rope having a plurality of wire strands and including the wire rope lubricant of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . (canceled)