CA1097321A - Coating and methods for pulling cable and drawing wire - Google Patents
Coating and methods for pulling cable and drawing wireInfo
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- CA1097321A CA1097321A CA304,557A CA304557A CA1097321A CA 1097321 A CA1097321 A CA 1097321A CA 304557 A CA304557 A CA 304557A CA 1097321 A CA1097321 A CA 1097321A
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A coating consisting essentially of .5% to 50%, preferably 2% to 20%, by volume, polyethylene oxide and about 6% to 30% a dispersion agent selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and hexylene glycol, with the ratio of polyethylene oxide-to-dispersion agent, by volume, being no greater than 2:1 and preferably 1:3. The remainder being essentially water. The coating is useful as a lubri-cant to facilitate pulling plastic-sheathed cable through a conduit, drawing wire through a die and mounting a tire on a rim. The coating is an emollient for wood and useful in metalworking to inhibit or otherwise control oxidation, and as an annealing and normalizing agent. The coating is also used as a lubricant to facilitate the passage of mixed concrete through a conduit.
A coating consisting essentially of .5% to 50%, preferably 2% to 20%, by volume, polyethylene oxide and about 6% to 30% a dispersion agent selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and hexylene glycol, with the ratio of polyethylene oxide-to-dispersion agent, by volume, being no greater than 2:1 and preferably 1:3. The remainder being essentially water. The coating is useful as a lubri-cant to facilitate pulling plastic-sheathed cable through a conduit, drawing wire through a die and mounting a tire on a rim. The coating is an emollient for wood and useful in metalworking to inhibit or otherwise control oxidation, and as an annealing and normalizing agent. The coating is also used as a lubricant to facilitate the passage of mixed concrete through a conduit.
Description
COATING AND METHODS FOR PULLING
CABLE AND DRAWING WIRE
This invention relates to a coating composition to protect and lubricate, if desired, the surface of an article without adversely affecting or otherwise degrading the physical properties of the article onto which the coating is applied. More particularly, the present inven-tion relates to such a coating employed as a lubricant and/or wetting agent which can be applied directly onto the surface of a cable, wire or object to be pulled through a conduit, duct, raceway and die to facilitate the joining of two members together such as mounting a pneumatic tire upon a rim or press-fit operation as well as to form a lubricant for the passage of mixed concrete through a conduit or duct.
~ Jhile not limited thereto, the coating of the present invention is particularly useful to form a coating of lubricant on wire and/or cable to facilitate pulling operations through a die, conduits and/or ducts~ During such pulling operations, the ever~present problem of friction occurs between the outside surface of the object being pulled and the inside surface of the passageway.
From an economic standpoint, it is desirable to use the longest possible length of cable or wire during a single pull through the conduit, duct or die. However, as the length of cable or wire involved in a single pull increases, there is a corresponding increase to the necessary pulling force imposed on the cable or wire. If an excessive pulling force is developed, the cable or wire elongates beyond an allowable value causing frac~ures or breaks to occur. After a cable is drawn into a conduit or raceway, it is frequently necessary to move the cable in a reverse direction to facilitate dressing operations to the surface of the cable sheathing. Back and forth adjustments to the position of cable within a conduit is required when the preselected lengths of cable have their ends pre-equipped with a system o~ connectors.
In the past, a thixotropic paraffin-based gel, or petroleum-based lubricant was applied by hand onto the surface of the cable preparatory to the pulling operation.
An applicator system such as is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,028,473, eliminated much of the labor and mess usually associated with manual application of the lubricant onto the cable. However, a heavy residue of lubricant remains on the surface of the cable whereby the necessary splicing operations were impeded because of the residue particularly in an underground environment.
Instead of a thixotropic paraffin-based gel or petroleum-based lubricant, there is disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 3,925,216, a lubricant comprised of polyethylene o~ide in an alcohol-water solution. Such a lubricant will eliminate much of the clean-up operations because it provides a desirable property of rapid evaporation. ~owever, this lubricant has inferior friction-reducing properties as compared to a thixotropic gel, particularly in regard to the necessary cable dressing operations and back and forth adjus ments of the cable when using selected lengths with pre-prepared connectors. A lubricant of polyethylene oxide in ail alcohol-water solution will rapidly evaporate and is highly water-soluble whereby little lubricant, if any, remains after the pulling operation is completed. How-ever, this lubricant composition can be useless or ineffective when the ductwork contains or is filled with water as frequently occurs when the ductwork is under-ground.
In a wire- or rod-drawing operation, a pro-tective coating is necessary to prevent exposure tooxidizing air and thereby minimizes the formation of scale which quickly wears dies out of shape as well as spoiling the workpiece. Pickling and a water rinse usually preclude the drawing operation. ordinarily, greasy lubricants are ineffective to protect the die because swch lubricants do not adhere to an aqueously-wet surface of the work-piece. In the regulax wire-drawing practice, the work-piece is coated with the liquor or soap solution just prior to the actual drawing operation by submerging the workpiece in the solution until the workpiece is drawn through the die. Li~uor or soap solutions do not form a sufficiently thick lubricant film on the workpiece.
Detrimental effects due to friction occur at the inside surface of a passageway as a mass of mixed concrete is forced to move along the passageway. The present-day practice of transporting mixed concrete by a pump from a vehicle to the actual ]ob site offers many advantages. The mixed concrete is moved in a conduit which is made of steel, ~7;~
aluminum or plastic materials to provide strength and abrasion resistance. The conduit usually includes articulated joints or the like so that the conduit can be placed to extend along the desired course.
Because of the pressures involved, the power needed to move mixed concrete over a given height or distance is necessarily large, particularly because o~ the weight o~ the concrete (e.g., 4000 lbs per cu~ic yard).
However, by using an effective lubricant along the inside wall of the conduit, the concrete mixture will pass more effeciently along the conduit and through articulated joints. The lubricant not only minimizes the loss of power due to friction but also minimizes a liquid-to-solid phase segregation to the concrete due to its movement along the conduit. In this regard, a homogenous concrete mixture is known to undergo segre-gation into aggregate phase and a cement-paste phase which sometimes undergoes further separation into a water and thick cement-paste phase.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel coating composition consisting essentially o~ an aqueous solution of a dispersion agent and poly-ethylene oxide and a particular use thereof ~or cable-pulling operations, metalworking and controlled oxidation of drawing wire.
CABLE AND DRAWING WIRE
This invention relates to a coating composition to protect and lubricate, if desired, the surface of an article without adversely affecting or otherwise degrading the physical properties of the article onto which the coating is applied. More particularly, the present inven-tion relates to such a coating employed as a lubricant and/or wetting agent which can be applied directly onto the surface of a cable, wire or object to be pulled through a conduit, duct, raceway and die to facilitate the joining of two members together such as mounting a pneumatic tire upon a rim or press-fit operation as well as to form a lubricant for the passage of mixed concrete through a conduit or duct.
~ Jhile not limited thereto, the coating of the present invention is particularly useful to form a coating of lubricant on wire and/or cable to facilitate pulling operations through a die, conduits and/or ducts~ During such pulling operations, the ever~present problem of friction occurs between the outside surface of the object being pulled and the inside surface of the passageway.
From an economic standpoint, it is desirable to use the longest possible length of cable or wire during a single pull through the conduit, duct or die. However, as the length of cable or wire involved in a single pull increases, there is a corresponding increase to the necessary pulling force imposed on the cable or wire. If an excessive pulling force is developed, the cable or wire elongates beyond an allowable value causing frac~ures or breaks to occur. After a cable is drawn into a conduit or raceway, it is frequently necessary to move the cable in a reverse direction to facilitate dressing operations to the surface of the cable sheathing. Back and forth adjustments to the position of cable within a conduit is required when the preselected lengths of cable have their ends pre-equipped with a system o~ connectors.
In the past, a thixotropic paraffin-based gel, or petroleum-based lubricant was applied by hand onto the surface of the cable preparatory to the pulling operation.
An applicator system such as is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,028,473, eliminated much of the labor and mess usually associated with manual application of the lubricant onto the cable. However, a heavy residue of lubricant remains on the surface of the cable whereby the necessary splicing operations were impeded because of the residue particularly in an underground environment.
Instead of a thixotropic paraffin-based gel or petroleum-based lubricant, there is disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 3,925,216, a lubricant comprised of polyethylene o~ide in an alcohol-water solution. Such a lubricant will eliminate much of the clean-up operations because it provides a desirable property of rapid evaporation. ~owever, this lubricant has inferior friction-reducing properties as compared to a thixotropic gel, particularly in regard to the necessary cable dressing operations and back and forth adjus ments of the cable when using selected lengths with pre-prepared connectors. A lubricant of polyethylene oxide in ail alcohol-water solution will rapidly evaporate and is highly water-soluble whereby little lubricant, if any, remains after the pulling operation is completed. How-ever, this lubricant composition can be useless or ineffective when the ductwork contains or is filled with water as frequently occurs when the ductwork is under-ground.
In a wire- or rod-drawing operation, a pro-tective coating is necessary to prevent exposure tooxidizing air and thereby minimizes the formation of scale which quickly wears dies out of shape as well as spoiling the workpiece. Pickling and a water rinse usually preclude the drawing operation. ordinarily, greasy lubricants are ineffective to protect the die because swch lubricants do not adhere to an aqueously-wet surface of the work-piece. In the regulax wire-drawing practice, the work-piece is coated with the liquor or soap solution just prior to the actual drawing operation by submerging the workpiece in the solution until the workpiece is drawn through the die. Li~uor or soap solutions do not form a sufficiently thick lubricant film on the workpiece.
Detrimental effects due to friction occur at the inside surface of a passageway as a mass of mixed concrete is forced to move along the passageway. The present-day practice of transporting mixed concrete by a pump from a vehicle to the actual ]ob site offers many advantages. The mixed concrete is moved in a conduit which is made of steel, ~7;~
aluminum or plastic materials to provide strength and abrasion resistance. The conduit usually includes articulated joints or the like so that the conduit can be placed to extend along the desired course.
Because of the pressures involved, the power needed to move mixed concrete over a given height or distance is necessarily large, particularly because o~ the weight o~ the concrete (e.g., 4000 lbs per cu~ic yard).
However, by using an effective lubricant along the inside wall of the conduit, the concrete mixture will pass more effeciently along the conduit and through articulated joints. The lubricant not only minimizes the loss of power due to friction but also minimizes a liquid-to-solid phase segregation to the concrete due to its movement along the conduit. In this regard, a homogenous concrete mixture is known to undergo segre-gation into aggregate phase and a cement-paste phase which sometimes undergoes further separation into a water and thick cement-paste phase.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel coating composition consisting essentially o~ an aqueous solution of a dispersion agent and poly-ethylene oxide and a particular use thereof ~or cable-pulling operations, metalworking and controlled oxidation of drawing wire.
2~
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel coating composition formed as an emollient for wood and a release agent used in a mold for curing a tire.
It is an object of the present invention to employ a novel coating composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of a dispersion agent and poly-ethylene oxide for cable-pulling operations and for transferring a mass of mixed concrete.
It is a ~urther object of the present invention to provide a gel-like, semi-liquid coating and/or lubricant having a novel composition which is non-degrading to a mass of mixed concrete, a metal or plastic conduit and sheathing for cable made of polyethylene or polyurethane material;
will not readily evaporate in warm outdoor temperatures;
will not freeze at outdoor subfreezing temperatures; and viscoelastic, yet removable, ~ith a water flush to enable handling of coated element.
The coating solution according to the present invention essentially consists of about .5~ to 50% by volume polyethylene oxide and about 6% to 30~ by volume a dispersion agent selected from the gorup consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and hexylene glycol, the ratio of the volume of polyethylene oxide to the volume o~ a dispersion agent being no greater than 2:1 and the remainder being water. Polyethylene oxide, by volume, is pre~erably within the range of 2~ to 20%. For wire-drawing operations, it is pre~erred to add to the coating composition, by volume thereof, up to 15% lime.
In still other terms, the coating of the present invention essentially consists of at least about 2 parts by volume a dispersion agent selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and hexylene glycol, and 1 part by volume polyethylene oxide and at least about ~ parts by volume water. However, 3 parts by volume of the dispersion agent, propylene glycol, are preferred.
The present invention further provides a method for pulling cable having a protective sheathing of polyethylene or polyurethane through a conduit, duct or the like wherein the method includes the steps of applying to the outer surface of the sheathing a non-degrading lubricant consisting essentially of the coating as defined hereinabove and then drawing the cable in the conduit while the coating remains on the outer surface of the sheathing.
~he present invention further provides a method for conducting a flowable mass such as mixed concrete and the like within a conduit wherein ~he method includes the steps of feeding the flowable mass into the conduit to flow therealong essentially in the form of a stream, and feeding an effective amount of lubricant consisting essentially of the coating as defined hereinabove into the conduit to form a film of lubricant between the interior wall of the conduit and the surface of the flowable mass moving there-along.
In ~ire~drawing operations, viscoelasticity and water-solubility properties of the novel coating enable use thereof as a lubrlcant and to control oxidation as well as preventing scale formation on the coated surface of the workpiece. In a press-fitting or joining operation, the coating has an excellent friction-reducing property to enable closer tolerance fits than would normally be enabled. In a tire-mounting operation, the ability of the coating composition to adhere to the beaded portion of a rubber tire and the metal rim insures significant reduction in friction and renders the coating superior for this application. Moreover, the coating also functions to establish and maintain a seal between the tire and rim to inhibit air leakage.
For drawing wire from workpieces of brass, copper or ferrous metals, the preferred coating composition consists essentially of 3 parts by volume the dispersion agent, propylene glycol, and 1 part by volume polyethylene oxide with an average molecular weight of ~,000,000, and between 9 to 50 parts water. By volume, the dispersion agent forms between ~3% and 6% of the coating and poly-ethylene oxide forms between 9~ and 2% of the coating.
When the coating is applied to a workpiece by a drip method, then 35 to 50 parts water by volume is used to assure flowability. When a workpiece is dipped in a bath of the coating, about 9 parts by volume water is used to form the coating. The propylene glycol and polyethylene oxide are admixed together to form a slurry. The water constituent ~7~
is either added to the slurry ~r the slurry is added to water. In either event, mixing is achieved after about twenty-five seconds of rapidly stirring the mixture at about 1150 revolutions per minute. The composition is allowed to set for twenty-four hours to permit the release of entrapped air. The resulting lubricant composition is extremely viscoelastic. The preferred dispersion agent of propylene glycol of the coating has a good lubricating property. However, it has been found according to the present invention that dispersion agent constituent of the coating may be selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol!ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and hexylene glycol. For this group of dispersion agents, propylene glycol is especially useful as the dispersion agent because it is miscible with water, a non-solvent of polyethylene, and a freezing point lower than water, e.g., -60~F in a 60% by volume solution, friction-reducing agent, viscosity stabilizer, biodegradable, environmentally safe, non-toxic, non-destructive to plastics, rubber and metals. A suspensioll of polyethylene oxide in propylene glycol and the later-addition of water increases synergistically the viscGelasticity and lubricity of the solution.
The same mixing procedure is followed for all coating compositions including the preferred coating com-position used for cable-pulling operations. The coating for this purpose consists essentially of 3 parts by volume propylene glycol, 1 part by volume polyethylene oxide and 9 to 40 parts, but preferably 25 parts, by volume, water.
Thus, by volume, the dispersion agent, propylene glycol, is between 23% and 7%, but 10% is preferred; while polyethylene oxide is between 9~ and 2%, but about 4% is preferred.
In the coating composition of the present invention, the water component reduces the ultimate thick-ness of the mi~ture. When compounding, the water component may be at any temperature except boiling. It is pre~erred to use ordinary tap water at room temperature. The sus-pension medium, i.e., propylene glycol, acts as a dis-persion agent whereby the ratio of polyethylene oxide to propylene glycol by volumes can go from a minuscule amount of polyethylene oxide to an upper limit of 2 parts poly-ethylene oxide to 1 part propylene glycol. At this ratio of 2:1, a dispersion will still be effective. Ho~ever~
if the ratio of 2:1 is exceeded and water is added, the slurry forms into globules that resist further mixing without a decrease to the viscoelasticity of the mixture.
Special equipment and mixing techniques are necessary to dissolve polyethylene oxide without a dispersion agent in water. As the polyethylene oxide hydrates, special mixing procedures are necessary to avoid shear which is a rupture of the chain link formed with water.
For joining operations~ such as mounting a rubber tire onto a metal rim, the preferred coating composition consists essentially of 3 parts by volume propylene glycol, _g_ 1 part by volume polyethylene oxide and between 26 and 50 parts by volume water. An extemely effective lubricant is provided by this composition which is relatively inexpensive. The dispersion agent, propylene glycol, in this coating composition forms between 10% to 6% by volume and polyethylene oxide forms between 3~ and 2% by volume.
For press-fitting operations, the preferred coating com-position is 3 parts o~ the dispersion agent, propylene glycol (between 37% and 23%) by volume, 1 part polyethylene oxide (bétween 12% and 9%) by volume and 4 to 9 parts, preferably 7 parts, by volume water. The coating composition, when used as a mold release agent in a tire-curing mold, consists of 3 parts (23% to 10%) by volume the dispersion agent, l part (9% to 3%) polyethylene oxide and 9 to 25 parts by volume water.
Polyethylene oxide is commercially available under the trademark POLOX from Union Carbide Corporation with the preferred average molecular weight being sold under the designation POLYOX ~SR-301. Ranges of .5% to 50% poly-ethylene oxide (POLYOX) are tolerable in the coating composition of the present invention. Within this range, the viscoelasticity of the lubricant increases to a non-pourable substance at about 50% by volume polyethylene oxide. It has been found that the luhricity of the coating composition is approximately the same for all of the various mixtures but the ideal ranges of the components for a particular appli-cation have been expressed herein. It has been found that the lubricity of the coating composition increases in a water environment through which an object coated with the lubricant is passed.
~P7~
The coating composition of the present invention is an extremely effective wood emollient. When used for this purpose, the coating is composed of 2 to 3 parts (40% to 37%) by volume the dispersion agent, 1 part (20~ to 12%) by volume polyethylene oxide and 2 to 4 parts by volume watex.
In the iield of metalworking, the coating of the present invention is an effective annealing and normalizing agent, a lubricant and coolant for workpieces during roughening and finishing operations, such as rolling and strip-finishing operations and as a rust and scale control agent. When the coating is used for metalworking of aluminum, copper and ferrous metals, the coating is comprised of 3 parts t30~ to ~3%) by volume a dispersion agent, 1 part (10% to 9%) by volume polyethylene oxide and 6 to 9 parts water by volume.
To control rust and scale formation, the coating was tested by heating a ~4-inch rod of 10~0 carbon steel until red. One-half of the length of rod was dipped in a bath of coating consisting of 3 parts by volume propylene glycol, 1 part by volume polyethylene oxide and 9 parts by volume waterO The coating tightly adhered to the rod surface. The rod was then placed in the open atmosphere and allowed to cool. The coated end cooled slower and required between 30 to 60 minutes longer to cool to room temperature as compared with the uncoated part of the rod.
During the ne~t 6 to 8 hours, the coated end underwent a slow oxidation, acquiring a rusty appearance. However, between 5 to 7 days later, the uncoated end oxidized to a ~7~
heavy coating of rust whereas the appearance of the coated end remained essentially constant. The rod was then flushed with water. The coating and rusty appearance were flushed away from the coated end while the uncoated end retained the rust formation after flushing with water.
The same test and results occurred with a coating com-prising 3 parts by volume propylene glycol, 1 part by volume polyethylene oxide and 6 parts by volume water.
In other tests, the rod was not heated but the same results were obtained with both coating compositions.
The novel coating composition of the present invention has been found particularly useful for pulling underground power, electric or telephone cables of the type which include metal conductors or glass fiber. When such cable is protected by polyethylene or polyurethane sheathing, many lubricant coatings are effective. However, it is very important that a lubricant compound does not ad~ersely affect the sheathing. Degrading of the sheathing material as by, for example, increasing the stress cracking potential will allow water and elements to adversely affect the txansmission medium causing disruptions of service and damage to the cable. The unique group of dispersion agents used in the lubricant composision of the present invention as well as the componen~ of polyethylene oY~ide are non-degrading to such sheathing materials. ~owever, it has been found that the use of alcohol as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,925,216 as a component in a lubricant can adversely affect a sheathing of polyethylene and polyurethane materials.
To carry out the method of the present invention, a flowabl~ mass of mixed concrete is fed from a container by a suitable pump into a conduit usually made from plastic, steel or aluminum. The discharge end of the conduit extends to the site where the concrete is to be poured. The site is usually a diverse area. Flexible conduit or articulated joints permit relocation of the discharge end of the conduit.
At a convenient point, preferably adjacent the end of the conduit receiving the mixed concrete, a lubrication reservoir between two concentric sleeves such as shown in Patent No. 4,02~,473 is coupled to the conduit. Holes in the inner sleeve discharge the pressurized lubricant coating at spaced points about the periphery of the conduit whereby the mass of moving concrete carries the lubricant downstream. The lubricant coating remains at the interface surfaces between the conduit and the concrete. The coating composition is non-degrading to the mixed concrete. An effective amount of lubricant is fed continuou~ly or intermittently into the conduit. An effective amount depends upon the size and material of the conduit as well as the slump of the mixed concrete. However, the use of an e~fective amount of lubricant does not change the slump of the mixed concrete. Typically, 1 gallon per 7 to 8 cubic yards of concrete passed in a 4" diameter steel conduit is an effective amount of lubricant.
~`9~
Although the invention has been shown in connection with certain specific embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in composition can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel coating composition formed as an emollient for wood and a release agent used in a mold for curing a tire.
It is an object of the present invention to employ a novel coating composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of a dispersion agent and poly-ethylene oxide for cable-pulling operations and for transferring a mass of mixed concrete.
It is a ~urther object of the present invention to provide a gel-like, semi-liquid coating and/or lubricant having a novel composition which is non-degrading to a mass of mixed concrete, a metal or plastic conduit and sheathing for cable made of polyethylene or polyurethane material;
will not readily evaporate in warm outdoor temperatures;
will not freeze at outdoor subfreezing temperatures; and viscoelastic, yet removable, ~ith a water flush to enable handling of coated element.
The coating solution according to the present invention essentially consists of about .5~ to 50% by volume polyethylene oxide and about 6% to 30~ by volume a dispersion agent selected from the gorup consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and hexylene glycol, the ratio of the volume of polyethylene oxide to the volume o~ a dispersion agent being no greater than 2:1 and the remainder being water. Polyethylene oxide, by volume, is pre~erably within the range of 2~ to 20%. For wire-drawing operations, it is pre~erred to add to the coating composition, by volume thereof, up to 15% lime.
In still other terms, the coating of the present invention essentially consists of at least about 2 parts by volume a dispersion agent selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and hexylene glycol, and 1 part by volume polyethylene oxide and at least about ~ parts by volume water. However, 3 parts by volume of the dispersion agent, propylene glycol, are preferred.
The present invention further provides a method for pulling cable having a protective sheathing of polyethylene or polyurethane through a conduit, duct or the like wherein the method includes the steps of applying to the outer surface of the sheathing a non-degrading lubricant consisting essentially of the coating as defined hereinabove and then drawing the cable in the conduit while the coating remains on the outer surface of the sheathing.
~he present invention further provides a method for conducting a flowable mass such as mixed concrete and the like within a conduit wherein ~he method includes the steps of feeding the flowable mass into the conduit to flow therealong essentially in the form of a stream, and feeding an effective amount of lubricant consisting essentially of the coating as defined hereinabove into the conduit to form a film of lubricant between the interior wall of the conduit and the surface of the flowable mass moving there-along.
In ~ire~drawing operations, viscoelasticity and water-solubility properties of the novel coating enable use thereof as a lubrlcant and to control oxidation as well as preventing scale formation on the coated surface of the workpiece. In a press-fitting or joining operation, the coating has an excellent friction-reducing property to enable closer tolerance fits than would normally be enabled. In a tire-mounting operation, the ability of the coating composition to adhere to the beaded portion of a rubber tire and the metal rim insures significant reduction in friction and renders the coating superior for this application. Moreover, the coating also functions to establish and maintain a seal between the tire and rim to inhibit air leakage.
For drawing wire from workpieces of brass, copper or ferrous metals, the preferred coating composition consists essentially of 3 parts by volume the dispersion agent, propylene glycol, and 1 part by volume polyethylene oxide with an average molecular weight of ~,000,000, and between 9 to 50 parts water. By volume, the dispersion agent forms between ~3% and 6% of the coating and poly-ethylene oxide forms between 9~ and 2% of the coating.
When the coating is applied to a workpiece by a drip method, then 35 to 50 parts water by volume is used to assure flowability. When a workpiece is dipped in a bath of the coating, about 9 parts by volume water is used to form the coating. The propylene glycol and polyethylene oxide are admixed together to form a slurry. The water constituent ~7~
is either added to the slurry ~r the slurry is added to water. In either event, mixing is achieved after about twenty-five seconds of rapidly stirring the mixture at about 1150 revolutions per minute. The composition is allowed to set for twenty-four hours to permit the release of entrapped air. The resulting lubricant composition is extremely viscoelastic. The preferred dispersion agent of propylene glycol of the coating has a good lubricating property. However, it has been found according to the present invention that dispersion agent constituent of the coating may be selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol!ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and hexylene glycol. For this group of dispersion agents, propylene glycol is especially useful as the dispersion agent because it is miscible with water, a non-solvent of polyethylene, and a freezing point lower than water, e.g., -60~F in a 60% by volume solution, friction-reducing agent, viscosity stabilizer, biodegradable, environmentally safe, non-toxic, non-destructive to plastics, rubber and metals. A suspensioll of polyethylene oxide in propylene glycol and the later-addition of water increases synergistically the viscGelasticity and lubricity of the solution.
The same mixing procedure is followed for all coating compositions including the preferred coating com-position used for cable-pulling operations. The coating for this purpose consists essentially of 3 parts by volume propylene glycol, 1 part by volume polyethylene oxide and 9 to 40 parts, but preferably 25 parts, by volume, water.
Thus, by volume, the dispersion agent, propylene glycol, is between 23% and 7%, but 10% is preferred; while polyethylene oxide is between 9~ and 2%, but about 4% is preferred.
In the coating composition of the present invention, the water component reduces the ultimate thick-ness of the mi~ture. When compounding, the water component may be at any temperature except boiling. It is pre~erred to use ordinary tap water at room temperature. The sus-pension medium, i.e., propylene glycol, acts as a dis-persion agent whereby the ratio of polyethylene oxide to propylene glycol by volumes can go from a minuscule amount of polyethylene oxide to an upper limit of 2 parts poly-ethylene oxide to 1 part propylene glycol. At this ratio of 2:1, a dispersion will still be effective. Ho~ever~
if the ratio of 2:1 is exceeded and water is added, the slurry forms into globules that resist further mixing without a decrease to the viscoelasticity of the mixture.
Special equipment and mixing techniques are necessary to dissolve polyethylene oxide without a dispersion agent in water. As the polyethylene oxide hydrates, special mixing procedures are necessary to avoid shear which is a rupture of the chain link formed with water.
For joining operations~ such as mounting a rubber tire onto a metal rim, the preferred coating composition consists essentially of 3 parts by volume propylene glycol, _g_ 1 part by volume polyethylene oxide and between 26 and 50 parts by volume water. An extemely effective lubricant is provided by this composition which is relatively inexpensive. The dispersion agent, propylene glycol, in this coating composition forms between 10% to 6% by volume and polyethylene oxide forms between 3~ and 2% by volume.
For press-fitting operations, the preferred coating com-position is 3 parts o~ the dispersion agent, propylene glycol (between 37% and 23%) by volume, 1 part polyethylene oxide (bétween 12% and 9%) by volume and 4 to 9 parts, preferably 7 parts, by volume water. The coating composition, when used as a mold release agent in a tire-curing mold, consists of 3 parts (23% to 10%) by volume the dispersion agent, l part (9% to 3%) polyethylene oxide and 9 to 25 parts by volume water.
Polyethylene oxide is commercially available under the trademark POLOX from Union Carbide Corporation with the preferred average molecular weight being sold under the designation POLYOX ~SR-301. Ranges of .5% to 50% poly-ethylene oxide (POLYOX) are tolerable in the coating composition of the present invention. Within this range, the viscoelasticity of the lubricant increases to a non-pourable substance at about 50% by volume polyethylene oxide. It has been found that the luhricity of the coating composition is approximately the same for all of the various mixtures but the ideal ranges of the components for a particular appli-cation have been expressed herein. It has been found that the lubricity of the coating composition increases in a water environment through which an object coated with the lubricant is passed.
~P7~
The coating composition of the present invention is an extremely effective wood emollient. When used for this purpose, the coating is composed of 2 to 3 parts (40% to 37%) by volume the dispersion agent, 1 part (20~ to 12%) by volume polyethylene oxide and 2 to 4 parts by volume watex.
In the iield of metalworking, the coating of the present invention is an effective annealing and normalizing agent, a lubricant and coolant for workpieces during roughening and finishing operations, such as rolling and strip-finishing operations and as a rust and scale control agent. When the coating is used for metalworking of aluminum, copper and ferrous metals, the coating is comprised of 3 parts t30~ to ~3%) by volume a dispersion agent, 1 part (10% to 9%) by volume polyethylene oxide and 6 to 9 parts water by volume.
To control rust and scale formation, the coating was tested by heating a ~4-inch rod of 10~0 carbon steel until red. One-half of the length of rod was dipped in a bath of coating consisting of 3 parts by volume propylene glycol, 1 part by volume polyethylene oxide and 9 parts by volume waterO The coating tightly adhered to the rod surface. The rod was then placed in the open atmosphere and allowed to cool. The coated end cooled slower and required between 30 to 60 minutes longer to cool to room temperature as compared with the uncoated part of the rod.
During the ne~t 6 to 8 hours, the coated end underwent a slow oxidation, acquiring a rusty appearance. However, between 5 to 7 days later, the uncoated end oxidized to a ~7~
heavy coating of rust whereas the appearance of the coated end remained essentially constant. The rod was then flushed with water. The coating and rusty appearance were flushed away from the coated end while the uncoated end retained the rust formation after flushing with water.
The same test and results occurred with a coating com-prising 3 parts by volume propylene glycol, 1 part by volume polyethylene oxide and 6 parts by volume water.
In other tests, the rod was not heated but the same results were obtained with both coating compositions.
The novel coating composition of the present invention has been found particularly useful for pulling underground power, electric or telephone cables of the type which include metal conductors or glass fiber. When such cable is protected by polyethylene or polyurethane sheathing, many lubricant coatings are effective. However, it is very important that a lubricant compound does not ad~ersely affect the sheathing. Degrading of the sheathing material as by, for example, increasing the stress cracking potential will allow water and elements to adversely affect the txansmission medium causing disruptions of service and damage to the cable. The unique group of dispersion agents used in the lubricant composision of the present invention as well as the componen~ of polyethylene oY~ide are non-degrading to such sheathing materials. ~owever, it has been found that the use of alcohol as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,925,216 as a component in a lubricant can adversely affect a sheathing of polyethylene and polyurethane materials.
To carry out the method of the present invention, a flowabl~ mass of mixed concrete is fed from a container by a suitable pump into a conduit usually made from plastic, steel or aluminum. The discharge end of the conduit extends to the site where the concrete is to be poured. The site is usually a diverse area. Flexible conduit or articulated joints permit relocation of the discharge end of the conduit.
At a convenient point, preferably adjacent the end of the conduit receiving the mixed concrete, a lubrication reservoir between two concentric sleeves such as shown in Patent No. 4,02~,473 is coupled to the conduit. Holes in the inner sleeve discharge the pressurized lubricant coating at spaced points about the periphery of the conduit whereby the mass of moving concrete carries the lubricant downstream. The lubricant coating remains at the interface surfaces between the conduit and the concrete. The coating composition is non-degrading to the mixed concrete. An effective amount of lubricant is fed continuou~ly or intermittently into the conduit. An effective amount depends upon the size and material of the conduit as well as the slump of the mixed concrete. However, the use of an e~fective amount of lubricant does not change the slump of the mixed concrete. Typically, 1 gallon per 7 to 8 cubic yards of concrete passed in a 4" diameter steel conduit is an effective amount of lubricant.
~`9~
Although the invention has been shown in connection with certain specific embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in composition can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (16)
1. A lubricant and/or protective coating for an article, said coating consisting essentially of about .5% to 50% by volume polyethylene oxide and about 6% to 30% by volume a dispersion agent selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and hexylene glycol, the ratio of the volume of polyethylene oxide to the volume of said dispersion agent being no greater than 2:1, and the remainder being water.
2. The coating according to claim 1 wherein said polyethylene oxide is within the range of 2% to 20% by volume.
3. The coating according to claim 1 further consisting essentially of up to about 15% by volume lime.
4. A lubricant and/or protective coating for an article, said coating consisting essentially of at least about 2 parts by volume a dispersion agent selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and hexylene glycol, and 1 part by volume polyethylene oxide and at least about 2 parts by volume water.
5. The coating according to claim 4 consisting essentially of 3 parts by volume propylene glycol and at least 4 parts by volume water.
6. A method for pulling cable having a pro-tective sheathing of polyethylene or polyurethane through a conduit, duct or the like, said method including the steps of:
coating the outer surface of said protective sheathing with a non-degrading lubricant solution con-sisting essentially of about .5% to 50% by volume poly-ethylene oxide and about 6% to 30% by volume a dispersion agent selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and hexylene glycol, the ratio of the volume of polyethylene oxide to the volume of said dispersion agent being about 1:3, and the remainder being water; and drawing said cable along a conduit while the lubricant remains on the outer surface of said protective sheathing.
coating the outer surface of said protective sheathing with a non-degrading lubricant solution con-sisting essentially of about .5% to 50% by volume poly-ethylene oxide and about 6% to 30% by volume a dispersion agent selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and hexylene glycol, the ratio of the volume of polyethylene oxide to the volume of said dispersion agent being about 1:3, and the remainder being water; and drawing said cable along a conduit while the lubricant remains on the outer surface of said protective sheathing.
7. The method according to claim 6 wherein said polyethylene oxide is within the range of 2% to 20%
by volume.
by volume.
8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said dispersion agent is propylene glycol and within the range of 23% to 7% by volume.
9. A method for drawing wire using a ferrous, copper or brass workpiece, said method including the steps of:
controlling oxidation of the workpiece surface while inhibiting the formation of scale thereon by coating the workpiece with a solution consisting essentially of about .5% to 50% by volume polyethylene oxide and about 6$ to 30% by volume a dispersion agent selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and hexylene glycol, the ratio of the volume of polyethylene oxide to the volume of said dispersion agent being about 1:3 and the remainder being water, and using said coating as a lubricant while drawing the coated workpiece through a die.
controlling oxidation of the workpiece surface while inhibiting the formation of scale thereon by coating the workpiece with a solution consisting essentially of about .5% to 50% by volume polyethylene oxide and about 6$ to 30% by volume a dispersion agent selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and hexylene glycol, the ratio of the volume of polyethylene oxide to the volume of said dispersion agent being about 1:3 and the remainder being water, and using said coating as a lubricant while drawing the coated workpiece through a die.
10. The method according to claim 9 wherein said polyethylene oxide is within the range of 2% to 20%
by volume.
by volume.
11 The method according to claim 10 wherein said dispersion agent is propylene glycol and within the range of 23% to 6% by volume.
12. A method for conducting a flowable mass of mixed concrete and the like within a conduit, said method including the steps of:
feeding the flowable mass of mixed concrete into a conduit, feeding an effective amount of a lubricant coating into the conduit to form a lubricating film between the internal wall of the conduit and the flowable mass of mixed concrete, said lubricant coating consisting essentially of about .5% to 50% by volume polyethylene oxide and about 6% to 30% by volume a dispersion agent selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and hexylene glycol, the ratio of the volume of polyethylene oxide to the volume of said dispersion agent being about 1:3 and the remainder being water.
feeding the flowable mass of mixed concrete into a conduit, feeding an effective amount of a lubricant coating into the conduit to form a lubricating film between the internal wall of the conduit and the flowable mass of mixed concrete, said lubricant coating consisting essentially of about .5% to 50% by volume polyethylene oxide and about 6% to 30% by volume a dispersion agent selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and hexylene glycol, the ratio of the volume of polyethylene oxide to the volume of said dispersion agent being about 1:3 and the remainder being water.
13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said polyethylene oxide is within the range of 2% to 20%
by volume.
by volume.
14. The method according to claim 12 wherein said dispersion agent is propylene glycol and within the range of 23% to 7% by volume.
15. The method according to claim 12 wherein the slump of the mixed concrete is constant throughout said step of feeding an effective amount of lubricant coating.
16. The method according to claim 12 wherein said step of feeding an effective amount of lubricant coating includes feeding the lubricant coating at a rate of about 1 gallon of lubricant coating per 7 to 8 cubic yards of mixed concrete fed into the conduit by said step of feeding the flowable mass.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/839,077 US4111820A (en) | 1977-10-03 | 1977-10-03 | Coating and methods for pulling cable and drawing wire |
| US839,077 | 1977-10-03 | ||
| US86910578A | 1978-04-13 | 1978-04-13 | |
| US869,105 | 1978-04-13 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1097321A true CA1097321A (en) | 1981-03-10 |
Family
ID=27126078
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA304,557A Expired CA1097321A (en) | 1977-10-03 | 1978-06-01 | Coating and methods for pulling cable and drawing wire |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1097321A (en) |
-
1978
- 1978-06-01 CA CA304,557A patent/CA1097321A/en not_active Expired
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