Causes of wire rope fracture in marine environment

During the deep-sea operation of an ocean ship, the traction wire rope fractured. The fracture causes of the wire rope were analyzed by means of macroscopic observation, size measurement, metallographic examination, breaking force test, scanning electron microscope and energy spectrum analysis. The results show that the outer ring of the wire rope was corroded and worn, and the extrusion deformation occurred. The wire rope generated a crack source at the extrusion deformation and corrosion pits. The steel wire at the crack source preferentially broke, and other steel wires underwent overload fracture.