CSIR Wire Rope Testing Laboratory
The CSIR is the recognised custodian of in-service mine rope technology, and performs the bulk of the statutory tests required for hoist ropes in the mining industry.As a National Key Point, the Wire Rope Testing Laboratory also maintains the largest historical database of rope tests in Africa.
Access to rope test data and certificates are provided via a user-friendly web-based system. Through this facility clients can get direct access to their test results, and the Department of Minerals and Energy can draw lists of tests performed by the various mines. Registered users can follow the link below to access the rope test database. (Rope Certificates) The rope test prices are also provided.
Services offered
Safety is a crucial factor in the profitability of the mining industry. With thousands of workers transported up and down mine shafts each day, measuring the safety of hoisting ropes form an integral part of mine management.Strict laws cover the maintenance and testing of steel wire ropes.The Wire Rope Testing Laboratory focuses mainly on the destructive testing of these ropes.
Additional facilities
Bending test and torsion tests on wires
Rope fatigue tests
Rope fracture tests
For each hoist rope tested, the customer is provided with a detailed report that includes the breaking force, absorbed strain energy, force vs. elongation curve and an assessment of the condition of individual strands and wires at the point of failure.The report also alerts the customer to rope characteristics that breach, or are approaching, accepted performance standards. For example, a breaking force that is 90% or less than the new rope-breaking force. An assessment of corrosion and general rope lubrication is also provided.
Equipment
The Laboratory is an advanced technology facility housing state of the art wire rope testing equipment.The machines used in the destructive testing of steel wire ropes have capacities ranging from 1 MN for small diameter ropes, to 15 MN for ropes up to 160 mm in diameter.
Equipment owned by the laboratory includes:
- A 15 MN MFL tensile test machine which is able to accommodate large-diameter ropes as used in the oil drilling, bridge and shipping industries.It also caters for tensile tests on conveyor belts up to 1.2m wide and large-link chains as used on coal mine draglines and;
- A 4,450 kN tensile test machine with a 25m bed;
Track Record
The CSIR Wire Rope Testing Laboratory is the government approved facility for statuary testing of winding ropes. Because of the CSIRs impartiality, professionalism and technical expertise, rope manufacturers locally and abroad also choose to have their wire rope samples tested by the CSIR. Existing clients include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Haggie Steel Wire Rope (Scaw Metals Group)
- Bridon International
- Casar Drahtseilwerk Saar
- Algoa Oil Pipeline Services (Pty) Ltd
- Volvo Car South Africa (Pty) Ltd
- Anglo Operations Limited Field Service
- SABS
- De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd
- Lonmin Platinum
- Schindler Lifts (SA) (Pty) Ltd
- Otis Elevator Company (Ltd)
- Murray Roberts Cementation (Pty) Ltd