Carbon Filament Rope with Elastomer Matrix for Wear Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carbon-containing ropes used in load applications suffer from low wear resistance and short service life due to filament movement and rubbing, leading to damage and reduced tensile strength, as well as limited flexibility, causing increased wear when guided over deflection rollers with small radii.
Innovation Solution
A rope with carbon filaments coated by a sizing material, surrounded by an elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer matrix, which ensures firm adhesion and separation of filaments, allowing for elastic deformation and reduced friction, thereby enhancing wear resistance and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If carbon-containing filaments are embedded in a polymer matrix to increase tensile strength, then the rope achieves high strength, but the filaments move relative to each other under load and rub against each other, causing wear and reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastomeric matrix as an intermediary material between the carbon filaments. This matrix serves as a mediator that allows filament movement while preventing direct contact and rubbing between filaments. The elastomeric properties enable the matrix to deform with the filaments under load, maintaining separation and eliminating the wear mechanism that occurs with rigid polymer matrices.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the rope is made with rigid structure to maintain stability, then tensile strength is improved, but flexibility and ability to bend are reduced, causing increased wear when guided over deflection rollers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the matrix material from rigid to elastomeric. This parameter change allows the rope to maintain structural stability through the carbon filament reinforcement while simultaneously gaining flexibility. The elastomeric matrix can deform and recover, enabling the rope to bend over deflection rollers without excessive wear while maintaining tensile load-bearing capacity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a rope with improved stability, increased service life, and enhanced flexibility, preventing filament rubbing and damage, even when subjected to large tensile forces and deflection, allowing for smooth operation over deflection devices with small radii.
Implementation Method 1
the sizing act as adhesion promoters between the respective filament and the matrix surrounding it
Implementation Method 2
the matrix is composed of a material containing at least one elastomer and/or at least one thermoplastic elastomer, it is elastic and can absorb any tension in the cable
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cable comprising filaments (10) containing carbon, surrounded by a sizing material (12). Said filaments (10) surrounded by the sizing material (12) are covered by a matrix (14) which is composed of a material containing at least one elastomer and/or at least one thermoplastic elastomer. Said cable can be used, in particular for pulling a load, for example in a goods lift.