Socketing material and speltered assembly for terminating tension member

Abstract

A socketing material ( 16 ), or mortar, for speltering wire rope, strand, and other tension members ( 14 ), comprising 35%-55% AL 2 O 3 ; 32%-52% SiO 2 ; 0%-20% CaO; and 0%-2% Fe 2 O 3 . The material ( 16 ) may have a continuous-use temperature of at least 1000 degrees, at least 2000 degrees, or at least 2500 degrees Fahrenheit. A speltered assembly ( 10 ) is produced by introducing the material ( 16 ) into and allowing it to cure within a cavity ( 24 ) of a terminal fitting ( 12 ) around the ends of a plurality of wires ( 31 ) of a tension member ( 16 ) which are arranged within the cavity ( 24 ) in a spaced-apart relationship.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following: 
     
         1 . A method of speltering, which comprises the step of introducing a socketing material into a cavity of a terminal fitting around the ends of a plurality of wires of a tension member which are arranged within the cavity in a spaced-apart relationship, the socketing material comprising—
 approximately between 35% and 55% AL 2 O 3 ; 
 approximately between 32% and 52% SiO 2 ; 
 approximately between 0% and 20% CaO; and 
 approximately between 0% and 2% Fe 2 O 3 . 
 
     
     
         2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the tension member is a wire rope. 
     
     
         3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the tension member is a strand. 
     
     
         4 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the socketing material has a continuous-use temperature of approximately at least 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         5 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the socketing material has a continuous-use temperature of approximately at least 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         6 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the socketing material has a continuous-use temperature of approximately at least 2500 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         7 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the socketing material includes—
 approximately between 40% and 50% AL 2 O 3 ; 
 approximately between 37% and 47% SiO 2 ; 
 approximately between 5% and 15% CaO; and 
 approximately less than 2% Fe 2 O 3 . 
 
     
     
         8 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the socketing material includes—
 approximately between 43% and 47% AL 2 O 3 ; 
 approximately between 40% and 44% SiO 2 ; 
 approximately between 7% and 11% CaO; and 
 approximately between 1% and 2% Fe 2 O 3 . 
 
     
     
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