ISO 3155:1976

Overview

ISO 3155:1976 specifies the nature, properties and test methods for fibre (textile) components used in stranded wire ropes for mine hoisting. The standard covers textile cores, textile covers and filling fibres used in hoisting ropes, defining required characteristics (chemical and extractable content) and laboratory procedures to determine them. It was prepared by ISO/TC 82 (Mining).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope

  • Defines required properties of textile components in stranded mine hoisting ropes and the corresponding test methods for quality verification.

• Materials

  • Permits long, hard natural fibres such as sisal (Agave sisalana) and manila/abaca (Musa textilis); use of other fibres or recycled fibres is restricted and requires agreement between purchaser and manufacturer. Artificial fibres allowed only by agreement.

• Chemical limits

  • Water‑soluble aggressive acids: maximum permitted content is specified and verified by extraction and titration.
  • Chloride (salt) content: limits expressed as % NaCl; chloride is determined by silver nitrate titration after extraction. (Standard gives a limit of 0.3% for chloride expressed as NaCl.)

• Extractable content (dry matter and water content)

  • Procedures to determine extractable matter (solvent extraction), drying and combustion of residues, and calculation of extractable content as a percentage of dry textile residue.
  • Different extractable-content limits are given depending on manufacturing history (e.g., untreated fibres, fibres with added lubricants, and finished textile cores); the standard also specifies acceptable ranges for these cases.

• Test methods and sample preparation

  • Typical tests include Soxhlet extraction, solvent evaporation, drying at 105 °C, combustion/ashing and titrations (0.1 N NaOH/KOH for acids; AgNO3/thiocyanate for chloride).
  • Defined sample sizes and precision for result expression (for example, expression to 0.1 ml/100 g, 0.1% or 0.001 g where applicable).

Applications and users

• Rope manufacturers - to specify and verify textile core and cover materials during production and acceptance testing.
• Mine operators and maintenance teams - to ensure hoisting ropes meet safety and longevity requirements related to chemical and extractable contaminants.
• Materials suppliers - to certify delivered fibre batches meet acceptance criteria.
• Testing and quality control laboratories - to perform standardized determinations of acids, salts and extractables for procurement and failure analysis.
• Standards bodies and procurement/specification authors - to reference uniform criteria when drafting contracts and technical specifications for mine hoisting ropes.

Related standards

• Prepared by ISO/TC 82 (Mining). For comprehensive rope safety and performance criteria, consult other ISO standards on wire ropes and mine hoisting published by ISO/TC 82 (refer to current ISO catalogues for up‑to‑date related documents).