Cold Socketing Procedure - Applying Wirelock on Spelter Socket

COLD SOCKETING with WIRELOCK compound, known for their worldwide reputation for safe and reliable usage are widely applied across major industrial sectors including General Engineering, Structures and Offshore.  

As we look into a socketing solution with safety, dependability and excellent fatigue performance, it is without doubt the preferred and recommended solution for customers of STL, when maximum termination efficiency or loading efficiency is the priority for their lifting gears'.

HOW TO PERFORM COLD SOCKETING?

Let us walk through the procedural steps of the Cold Socketing process, applying WIRELOCK compund onto the Spelter Socket; Producing a lifting sling with maximum termination efficiency!

The key processes with reference from the Wirelock technical data manual are briefly compiled as following (pictures below):

• Measurement and Wire Rope Mark-up
• Wire Rope Brooming
• Cleaning of Broom (Wire Rope)
• Broom setup on Socket
• Wirelock Compound Preparation
• Wirelock Pouring
• Curing Process

Measurement and Wire Rope Mark-up

Pre-installation phase where selected Steel Wire Rope is being measured and marked up to socket sizing for proper wire rope seizing prior to socket insertion. 

Wire Rope Brooming

After seizing, Steel Wire Rope is being "opened-up", starting from the core center strand, up to all the outer strands, also known as "Brooming"; this allows exposure of all the strands that will be inserted to the socket, for a thorough cleaning process.  

Cleaning of Broom (Wire Rope)

Thorough cleaning of the steel wire rope strands, prior to socket insertion for proper wirelock adhesion (Chemical bonding).

Broom setup on Socket

The cleaned broomed wire rope will then be required to have the socket inserted and positioned vertically prior to the Wirelock being poured-in.

Wirelock Compound Preparation

The calculation of how much wirelock needed for the intended socket basket for filling can be calculated to ensure enough wirelock content is being prepared.

It should be noted that all the wirelock content (resin and powder) is only for 1 time usage and any excess should be discarded off after wirelock mixture preparation.  

Wirelock Pouring

Quick Point! It should be noted that prior to wirelock pouring/filling, (after insertion and positioning of socket to steel wire rope) the socket base with voids, should be sealed up with putty to prevent the wirelock from flowing/ escaping downwards through the voids, during the pouring.  

The pouring of wirelock content into the socket should be done right after mixture for proper penertration. The mixture should fill up to the socket brim area, with sightings of some wire rope strands tips on top.   

Wirelock Curing Process

After pouring, we should see a change in color of the mixture in about 20mins due to curing. The socket should  be left untouched for at least 1 hour for proper curing to happen. In STL, the practice of overnight curing is maintained.

A scratch test should always to done to ensure proper curing prior of puting the wirerope to service.

Reference: Wirelock Technical data manual - Millfield

Want to know more details for performing cold-socketing for your application? feel free to contact us!

Check out the link below for wirelock application on other non-conventional socketing works.

LINK: PERFORMING COLD SOCKETING - USING WIRELOCK

If you are interested to know more on our  Product & Services? Check out the link below for additional details:

LINK: STL Products

LINK: STL Testing and Services

if you need furthur assistances for enquires, feel free to contact our sales team: sales@singteckleong.com