Specification for Wire Rope

API SPECIFICATION 9A

TWENTY-SIXTH EDITION, MAY 2011 EFFECTIVE DATE: NOVEMBER 1, 2011

ERRATA 1, OCTOBER 2012

REAFFIRMED, APRIL 2016

ADDENDUM 1, NOVEMBER 2016

Date of Issue: October 2012

Affected Publication: API Specification 9A, Specification for Wire Rope, 26th Edition, May 2011

ERRATA 1

Page v, Table of Contents, replace the entry for Annex F with:

Annex F (normative) Calculation of Minimum Breaking Force for Ropes in Accordance with Annex C-Rope Grades 1770, 1960, and 2160

Page 25, Table C.1:

For Nominal Rope Diameter of 28.6 mm, the corresponding equivalent should be 1 1/8 in.

Page 44, Annex F, replace the title with:

Calculation of Minimum Breaking Force for Ropes in Accordance with Annex C-Rope Grades 1770, 1960, and 2160

Page 52, Annex J, Section J.1, replace the first sentence with:

Diameters, diameter tolerances, minimum breaking forces and elongation shall be in accordance with Table J.1.

Specification for Wire Rope

Upstream Segment

API SPECIFICATION 9A

TWENTY-SIXTH EDITION, MAY 2011 EFFECTIVE DATE: NOVEMBER 1, 2011

ERRATA 1, OCTOBER 2012

REAFFIRMED, APRIL 2016

ADDENDUM 1, NOVEMBER 2016

Special Notes

API publications necessarily address problems of a general nature. With respect to particular circumstances, local, state, and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed.

Neither API nor any of API's employees, subcontractors, consultants, committees, or other assignees make any warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained herein, or assume any liability or responsibility for any use, or the results of such use, of any information or process disclosed in this publication. Neither API nor any of API's employees, subcontractors, consultants, or other assignees represent that use of this publication would not infringe upon privately owned rights.

API publications may be used by anyone desiring to do so. Every effort has been made by the Institute to assure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in them; however, the Institute makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with this publication and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any authorities having jurisdiction with which this publication may conflict.

API publications are published to facilitate the broad availability of proven, sound engineering and operating practices. These publications are not intended to obviate the need for applying sound engineering judgment regarding when and where these publications should be utilized. The formulation and publication of API publications is not intended in any way to inhibit anyone from using any other practices.

Any manufacturer marking equipment or materials in conformance with the marking requirements of an API standard is solely responsible for complying with all the applicable requirements of that standard. API does not represent, warrant, or guarantee that such products do in fact conform to the applicable API standard.

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Contact the Publisher, API Publishing Services, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Copyright © 2011 American Petroleum Institute

Foreword

Nothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right, by implication or otherwise, for the manufacture, sale, or use of any method, apparatus, or product covered by letters patent. Neither should anything contained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.

This document was produced under API standardization procedures that ensure appropriate notification and participation in the developmental process and is designated as an API standard. Questions concerning the interpretation of the content of this publication or comments and questions concerning the procedures under which this publication was developed should be directed in writing to the Director of Standards, American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. Requests for permission to reproduce or translate all or any part of the material published herein should also be addressed to the director.

Generally, API standards are reviewed and revised, reaffirmed, or withdrawn at least every five years. A one-time extension of up to two years may be added to this review cycle. Status of the publication can be ascertained from the API Standards Department, telephone (202) 682-8000. A catalog of API publications and materials is published annually by API, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Suggested revisions are invited and should be submitted to the Standards Department, API, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005, standards@api.org.

iii

Contents Page

Special Notes ii

Foreword iii

Introduction vii

1. Scope 1

2. Normative References 1

3. Terms and Definitions 2

4. Requirements 2

   1. Material 2

   2. Rope Manufacture 3

   3. Diameter 5

   4. Lay Length 6

   5. Breaking Force. 6

   6. Length 8

5. Verification of Requirements and Test Methods 8

   1. Processes Requiring Validation 8

   2. Stranded Ropes and Spiral Ropes 8

   3. Tests on Well-measuring Wire 10

   4. Tests on Well-servicing Strands 10

   5. Facilities for Witnessing Tests 10

6. Information for Use 10

   1. Certificate 10

   2. Packaging and Marking 11

Annex A (normative) Dimensional and Mechanical Properties of Round Wires (Before Rope Fabrication) 12

Annex B (normative) Methods of Wire Testing for Levels 2, 3, 4, and 5 22

Annex C (normative) Tables of Breaking Forces for the More Common Classes, Sizes, and Grades

of Stranded Ropes Up to and Including 60 mm Diameter 24

Annex D (normative) Physical Dimensions and Mechanical Properties of Well-servicing Strand 41

Annex E (informative) Large Diameter Ropes 42

Annex F (normative) Calculation of Minimum Breaking Force for Ropes in Accordance with

Annex C—Rope Grades 1770, 1960, and 2160 44

Annex G (normative) Sampling and Acceptance Criteria for Type Testing of Ropes Produced in

Series 46

Annex H (normative) Determination of Breaking Force (Method 1) 48

Annex I (informative) Tests on Wires from the Rope (if Specified by the Purchaser) 49

Annex J (informative) Requirements for Bright or Drawn Galvanized Well-measuring Wire 52

Annex K (informative) Information with Enquiry or Order 53

Annex L (informative) Use of the API Monogram by Licensees 54

Bibliography 57

v

Figures

1 Method of Measuring Rope Diameter. 8

Tables

1. Range of Wire Tensile Strength Grades 2

2. Tolerances on Rope Diameter (Stranded Rope) 5

3. Permissible Differences Between Any Two Diameter Measurements 5

4. Breaking Force Testing Requirements 7

1. Permitted Variations in Tensile Strength 12

2. Diameter Tolerances, Minimum Number of Torsions, and Minimum Masses of Zinc for Tensile Strength Grades 1370 N/mm2, 1570 N/mm2, 1770 N/mm2, 1960 N/mm2, and 2160 N/mm2 13

3. Diameter Tolerances for Bright and Drawn Galvanized Wires 15

4. Diameter Tolerances for Final Galvanized Wires 15

5. Minimum Breaking Force and Minimum Number of Torsions for Levels 2, 3, 4, and 5 16

6. Minimum masses of Zinc for Drawn Galvanized Wire Levels 2, 3, 4, and 5 21

7. Minimum Masses of Zinc for Final Galvanized Wire Levels 2, 3, 4, and 5 21

B.1 Applied Tension for Torsion Tests 23

1. Class 6  7 Fiber Core 25

2. Class 6  7 Steel Core 26

3. Class 6  19M Fiber Core 27

4. Class 6  19M Steel Core 28

5. Class 6  37M Fiber Core 29

6. Class 6  37M Steel Core 30

7. Class 6  19 Fiber Core 31

8. Class 6  19 Steel Core 32

9. Class 6  36 Fiber Core 33

10. Class 6  36 Steel Core 34

11. Class 8  19 Steel Core 35

12. Class 8  36 Steel Core 36

13. Class 18  7 37

C.14 Class 34(M)  7 38

C.15 Class 35(W)  7 39

C.16 Class 6  V25TS Steel Core 40

D.1 Diameters, Diameter Tolerances, and Minimum Breaking Forces 41

1. Class—Large Diameter, Six-stranded Rope 42

2. Class—Large Diameter Spiral Strand 43

3. Class—Large Diameter Full-locked Coil 43

F.1 Factors for Stranded Wire Ropes for General Lifting Applications 45

H.1 Test Lengths 48

I.1 Permissible Reduction of Minimum Mass of Zinc-coating of Wires for Stranded Ropes 51

J.1 Diameters, Diameter Tolerances, Minimum Breaking Forces, Torsions, and Elongation 52

vi

Introduction

This standard was developed in response to worldwide demand for minimum specifications for ropes for use on equipment and machinery associated with the petroleum and natural gas industries.

In recognition of equipment already in use and originally designed to accommodate rope sizes (nominal rope diameters) based on “English” units, some of the more common “converted SI unit” sizes have also been included.

In addition, and in recognition of equipment already in use and designed to operate with ropes having specific rope grades (e.g. IPS), based on “U.S.” wire levels, these grades have also been included in order to give prominence to the required minimum values of breaking force associated with these grades and help to ensure that existing design safety levels are maintained.

Having due regard to size and breaking force for a particular rope class or construction, in some cases it is possible to safely substitute a U.S. customary size and grade with one based solely on SI units and grade, and vice-versa. To assist in this process, this standard gives a size range for each nominal rope diameter and equivalent minimum breaking forces (converted from U.S. customary units) for comparison, although it is recommended that the equipment designer or rope manufacturer (or other competent person) is consulted prior to ordering a substitute rope.

It should also be noted that a particular design of rope may be capable of offering a higher breaking force value than the one specified either in the relevant table in this standard or by the manufacturer in their catalogue. In such cases, a higher minimum breaking force value (or actual breaking force value if the rope has already been manufactured and tested) may be provided by the manufacturer before an order is placed.

Designers of new equipment are encouraged to select ropes having the preferred SI units and grades.

To complement this standard, ISO 17893 covering definitions, designation, and classification has been prepared.

vii

Specification for Wire Rope

1. Scope

   
   

   This standard specifies the minimum requirements and terms of acceptance for the manufacture and testing of steel wire ropes not exceeding rope grade 2160 for the petroleum and natural gas industries. The following products are covered by this specification:

   
   

   • wire rope,

     
     

   • bright- or drawn-galvanized wire rope,

     
     

   • well-measuring wire, and

     
     

   • well-measuring strand.

   
   

   Typical applications include tubing lines, rod hanger lines, sand lines, cable-tool drilling and clean out lines, cable tool casing lines, rotary drilling lines, winch lines, horse head pumping unit lines, torpedo lines, mast-raising lines, guideline tensioner lines, riser tensioner lines, and mooring and anchor lines. Ropes for lifting slings and cranes, and wire for well-measuring and strand for well-servicing, are also included.

   
   

   The minimum breaking forces for the more common sizes, grades, and constructions of stranded rope are given in tables. However, this standard does not restrict itself to the classes covered by those tables. Other types, such as ropes with compacted strands and compacted (swaged) ropes, may also conform with its requirements. The minimum breaking force values for these ropes are provided by the manufacturer.

   
   

   For information only, other tables present the minimum breaking forces for large diameter stranded and spiral ropes (i.e. spiral strand and locked coil), while approximate nominal length masses for the more common stranded rope constructions and large diameter stranded and spiral ropes are also given.

   
   

2. Normative References

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

ISO 2232:1990 1, Round drawn wire for general purpose non-alloy steel wire ropes and for large diameter steel wire ropes—Specifications

ISO 4345, Steel wire ropes—Fiber main cores—Specification

ISO 4346, Steel wire ropes for general purposes—Lubricants—Basic requirements

ISO 6892-1, Metallic materials—Tensile testing—Method of test a room temperature

ISO 7500-1, Metallic materials—Verification of static uniaxial testing machines—Part 1: Tension/compression testing machines—Verification and calibration of the force-measuring system

ISO 7800, Metallic materials—Wire—Simple torsion test

ISO 7801, Metallic materials—Wire—Reverse bend test

ISO 17893, Steel wire ropes—Vocabulary, designation and classification

1 International Organization for Standardization, 1, ch. de la Voie-Creuse, Case postale 56, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, www.iso.org.

1