AS 11381992

Australian Standard

Thimbles for wire rope

This Australian Standard was prepared by Committee ME/25, Lifting Tackle. It was approvedon behalf of the Council of Standards Australia on 13 March 1992 and published on15 June 1992.

The following interests are represented on Committee ME/25:Australian Chamber of ManufacturesAustralian Forging GroupAustralian Maritime Safety AuthorityConfederation of Australian IndustryDepartment of DefenceDepartment of Employment, Industrial Relations and Training, Tas.Department of Employment, Vocational Education, Training and Industrial Relations, QldDepartment of Industry, Technology and CommerceDepartment of Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare, W.A.Electricity Supply Association of AustraliaMetal Trades Industry Association of AustraliaOccupational Health and Safety Authority, Vic.Work Health Authority, N.T.WorkCover Authority, N.S.W.

Review of Australian Standards. To keep abreast of progress in industry, Australian Standards are subject to periodicreview and are kept up to date by the issue of amendments or new editions as necessary. It is important therefore thatStandards users ensure that they are in possession of the latest edition, and any amendments thereto.Full details of all Australian Standards and related publications will be found in the Standards Australia Catalogueof Publications; this information is supplemented each month by the magazine The Australian Standard, whichsubscribing members receive, and which gives details of new publications, new editions and amendments, and ofwithdrawn Standards.Suggestions for improvements to Australian Standards, addressed to the head office of Standards Australia, arewelcomed. Notification of any inaccuracy or ambiguity found in an Australian Standard should be made without delayin order that the matter may be investigated and appropriate action taken.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 90044.

AS 11381992

Australian Standard

Thimbles for wire rope

First published as AS 11381971.Second edition 1992.

PUBLISHED BY STANDARDS AUSTRALIA(STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA)1 THE CRESCENT, HOMEBUSH, NSW 2140

ISBN 0 7262 7446 1

AS 11381992 2

PREFACE

This Standard was prepared by the Standards Australia Committee on Lifting Tackle, to supersedeAS 11381971, Thimbles for use with wire rope or fibre (natural or synthetic) rope.This Standard covers thimbles that are strong enough to be used with wire rope (these types can also be usedwith fibre rope). This Standard does not cover thimbles for fibre rope, which are not strong enough to be usedwith wire rope. Thimbles for fibre rope are known to have been inadvertently supplied for wire-rope applications,because the differences between the two types of thimble are not sufficient for obvious identification without aclose examination or comparison.

CONTENTS

Page1 SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 MATERIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 MARKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 TESTING OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

APPENDICES

A INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE SUPPLIED WITH ENQUIRIES AND ORDERS . . . . . 10B STANDARDS FOR COMPONENTS USED IN LIFTING SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11C CONDITIONS FOR APPLICATION OF TEST FORCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11D MEANS FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE WITH THIS STANDARD . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Copyright STANDARDS AUSTRALIAUsers of Standards are reminded that copyright subsists in all Standards Australia publications and software. Except where the Copyright Actallows and except where provided for below no publications or software produced by Standards Australia may be reproduced, stored in aretrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from Standards Australia. Permission may beconditional on an appropriate royalty payment. Requests for permission and information on commercial software royalties should be directedto the head office of Standards Australia.

Standards Australia will permit up to 10 percent of the technical content pages of a Standard to be copied for use exclusively in-house by purchasers of the Standard without payment of a royalty or advice to Standards Australia.Standards Australia will also permit the inclusion of its copyright material in computer software programs for no royalty paymentprovided such programs are used exclusively in-house by the creators of the programs.

Care should be taken to ensure that material used is from the current edition of the Standard and that it is updated whenever the Standard isamended or revised. The number and date of the Standard should therefore be clearly identified.The use of material in print form or in computer software programs to be used commercially, with or without payment, or in commercialcontracts is subject to the payment of a royalty. This policy may be varied by Standards Australia at any time.

3 AS 11381992

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Australian StandardThimbles for wire rope

1 SCOPE This Standard specifies requirements for thimbles that are suitable for use with Grade 1770, galvanized ornatural, round strand, equal lay, 6 36 Seale-Warrington + IWR steel wire ropes complying with Table 2.6 ofAS 35691989.

NOTES:1 This Standard does not prevent the use of these or other types of thimble with fibre rope.2 Guidance on information that should be supplied with enquiries and orders is given in Appendix A.3 Standards for components that are used in lifting systems are listed in Appendix B.

2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS The following documents are referred to in this Standard:AS1065 Non-destructive testing Ultrasonic testing of carbon and low alloy steel forgings1171 Methods for magnetic particle testing of ferromagnetic products and components1199 Sampling procedures and tables for inspection by attributes1399 Guide to AS 1199Sampling procedures and tables for inspection by attributes1418 SAA Crane Code1418.1 Part 1: General requirements1442 Carbon steels and carbon-manganese steelsHot-rolled bars and semi-finished products1443 Carbon steels and carbon-manganese steelsCold-finished bars1444 Wrought alloy steelsStandard and hardenability (H) series1446 Carbon steels and carbon-manganese steelsHot-rolled slab, plate and strip based on chemical composition1448 Carbon steels and carbon-manganese steelsForgings (ruling section 300 mm maximum)1449 Wrought alloy steel Stainless and heat-resisting steel plate, sheet and strip1595 Cold-rolled unalloyed low carbon steel sheet and strip1627 Metal finishingPreparation and pretreatment of surfaces1627.0 Part 0: Method selection guide for preparation and pretreatment of steel surfaces1627.6 Part 6: Phosphate treatment of iron and steel surfaces1650 Hot-dipped galvanized coatings on ferrous articles1789 Electroplated coatingsZinc on iron or steel1790 Electroplated coatingsCadmium on iron or steel1816 Metallic materialsBrinell hardness test1831 Iron castingsSpheroidal or nodular graphite cast iron2074 Steel castings2193 Methods for calibration and grading of force-measuring systems of testing machines3569 Steel wire ropes3678 Structural steelHot-rolled plates, floorplates and slabs3679 Structural steel3679.1 Part 1: Hot-rolled bars and sections3900 Quality systems Guide to selection and use3904 Quality management and quality system elements3904.1 Part 1: GuidelinesISOGuide44 General rules for ISO and IEC international third-party certification schemes for products3 DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this Standard, the definitions below apply.3.1 Competent persona person having practical and theoretical knowledge and relevant experience, such as willenable that person to detect and evaluate any defects and any weaknesses that may affect the intended performance ofthe equipment.3.2 Regulatory authorityan authority with legislative powers to control the use of thimbles.

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AS 11381992 4

3.3 Self-coloureda surface colour of closely adhering brown/blue oxides resulting from heat treatment and subsequenthandling during manufacture.3.4 Shallindicates that a statement is mandatory.3.5 Shouldindicates a recommendation.3.6 Nominal size of a thimblethe nominal diameter of wire rope that the thimble is designed to accept.3.7 Gusset (or fillet)a permanent reinforcement in the throat of the thimble, to restrict deformation under load.3.8 Point of a thimblethe angular end of a thimble that is intended to be fitted adjacent to the splice of the eye.3.9 Thimblea fitting that while retained within an eye formed at the end of a wire rope will reinforce the eye andobviate damage and wear to the wire rope from any connected lifting tackle or other connection.

NOTE: A typical attachment of a thimble to a wire rope by a ferrule secured eye is illustrated in Figure 1, and a typical single-leg wire rope slingwith ferrule secured eyes is illustrated in Figure 2.

3.9.1 Ordinary thimblea thimble by which a fitting can be attached to the end of a wire rope in such a manner thatthe fitting is capable of full articulation (see Figure 3(a)).3.9.2 Reeving thimblea thimble, of internal dimensions adequate to permit the eye of a wire rope, reinforced witha thimble of the same size, to pass through (see Figure 3(b)).3.9.3 Contiguous thimblea thimble manufactured without a join (such as by casting or forging, see Figure 3(c)).3.9.4 Solid thimblea thimble that has a cylindrical hole passing laterally through it to permit it to be secured by meansof a pin, bolt, or similar fastening (see Figure 3(e)).

FIGURE 1 TYPICAL ATTACHMENT OF A THIMBLE TO A WIRE ROPE BY A FERRULE SECURED EYE

FIGURE 2 TYPICAL SINGLE-LEG WIRE ROPE SLING WITH FERRULE SECURED EYES

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5 AS 11381992

(i) Without point or gusset (ii) With point without gusset

(iii) With gusset without point (iv) With point and gusset (v) In the open conditionNOTE: See Figure 3(d) and Table 2 for dimensions.

(a) Ordinary thimble

(i) Without point (ii) With pointNOTE: See Figure 3(d) and Table 2 for dimensions.

(b) Reeving thimble

FIGURE 3 (in part) TYPES OF THIMBLES

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AS 11381992 6

NOTE: See Figure 3(d) and Table 2 for dimensions.(c) Contiguous thimble (d) Section through crown of ordinary,

reeving, and contiguous thimbles

NOTE: See Table 3 for dimensions.

(e) Solid thimble

FIGURE 3 (in part) TYPES OF THIMBLES

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7 AS 11381992

4 MATERIALS Thimbles should be manufactured from iron or steel complying with one of the specifications listedin Table 1. The use of other grades of iron or steel or other materials is not precluded, provided that they suit theirpurpose.

TABLE 1SPECIFICATIONS FOR RECOMMENDED MATERIALS

Australian Standard Grades144214431444

K1022 to K1045CD1 to CD48620 to 4140

144614481449

K1022 to K1045K1020 to K1040 and XK1320201, 304 or 316

1595 (see Note 1)1831 (see Note 2)2074

CX1370/17 or 400/12C3

36783679.1

AnyAny

NOTES:1 Only for ordinary thimbles and reeving thimbles.2 Only for solid thimbles.

5 DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE5.1 Dimensions Thimbles shall conform to the relevant dimensions specified in Tables 2 and 3.

NOTES:1 Thimbles may be supplied with or without points.2 Gussets may be required on thimbles with a size of 20 mm and greater, to reduce deformation.3 Thimbles may be supplied in the open condition.4 Where a thimble is used with a steel wire rope that has a grade of more than 1770 MPa, it may be necessary for the thimble to have a nominal

size that is larger than the rope to provide adequate resistance to deformation.

TABLE 2DIMENSIONS OF ORDINARY, REEVING, AND CONTIGUOUS THIMBLES

millimetres

Nominal sizeof thimble

d

AB

F G H JOrdinarythimbles

Reevingthimbles

Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Max. Min. Min. Max.2.5d 3d 3.8d 6.0d 7.5d 8.0d 1.55d 0.45d 1.07d See Note

89

10

202325

242730

313538

485460

606875

647280

121315

3.64.14.5

91011

4.44.95.5

111213

283033

333639

424650

667278

839098

8896

104

171820

5.05.45.9

121314

6.06.67.1

141618

354045

424854

546169

8496

108

105120135

112128144

212427

6.37.28.1

151820

7.78.89.9

202224

505560

606672

768492

120132144

150165180

160176192

313437

9.09.9

11

222426

111213

262832

657080

788496

99107122

156168192

195210240

208224256

404349

121315

283035

141524

364044

90100110

108120132

137152168

216240264

270300330

288320352

556268

171820

394348

273033

485256

120130140

144156168

183198213

288312336

360390420

384416448

748086

222426

525660

363942

60 150 180 228 360 450 480 93 27 65 45NOTE:For d 28 mm, Jmax = 0.55d.For d >28 mm, Jmax = 0.75d.

5.2 Holes The connecting hole in solid thimbles shall be machined normal to the plane of the rope groove of thethimble.

NOTE: Solid thimbles may have a lightening hole or recess toward the point of the thimble, provided that the strength of the thimble complieswith this Standard.

5.3 Bosses Bosses may be provided on each side of solid thimbles.5.4 Heat treatment Forged thimbles shall be normalized. Thimbles manufactured by other methods may require heattreatment to relieve undesirable residual stresses.

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AS 11381992 8

TABLE 3DIMENSIONS OF SOLID THIMBLES

Nominal sizeof thimble

d

C D E F G H JMin. Max. Max. Max. Min. Min. Min.3.3d 7d 2d 1.55d 0.45d 1.07d 0.5d

89

10

273033

566370

161820

121315

3.64.14.5

91011

4.04.55.0

111213

374043

778491

222426

171820

5.05.45.9

121314

5.56.06.5

141618

475360

98112126

283236

212427

6.37.28.1

151820

7.08.09.0

202224

667380

140154168

404448

313437

9.09.9

11

222426

101112

262832

8693

106

182196224

525664

404349

121315

283035

131416

364044

119132146

252280308

728088

556268

171820

394348

182022

485256

159172185

336364392

96104112

748086

222426

525660

242628

60 198 420 120 93 27 65 30

5.5 Defects and finish Thimbles shall be free from any roughness, sharp edges, or other defects that may impair thestrength or service life of the thimble, or cause a reduction of strength or service life of wire rope, or create a handlinghazard.

NOTE: Where a thimble is to be opened and closed after manufacture to allow for the insertion of another component, care must be exercised toavoid any surface cracking that may impair its strength or service life.

5.6 Surface finish The surface finish shall be one of the following:(a) Self-coloured (see Clause 3.3).(b) Hot-dipped galvanized coating complying with AS 1650.(c) Class A1, Class A2, or Class B phosphate coating complying with AS 1627.6.(d) Fe/Zn 12c electroplated zinc coating complying with AS 1789.(e) Fe/Cd 12c electroplated cadmium coating complying with AS 1790.(f) Painted coatings.

NOTE: AS 1627.0 gives guidance for preparing steel surfaces for painting.(g) Any other surface finish that does not cause a degradation of the mechanical properties of the finished product.6 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES6.1 Strength Each thimble shall be capable of supporting a test load equal to the relevant minimum breaking forceof test rope that is specified in Column 2 of Table 4 under the conditions specified in Appendix C, while retaining thetest rope in the groove of the thimble.6.2 Deformation Each thimble shall be capable of supporting a test load equal to 0.4 times the relevant minimumbreaking force of test rope as specified in Column 3 of Table 4 under the conditions specified in Appendix C, withoutdimension A in Figure 3 being reduced by more than 10 percent.7 MARKING Any indented marking shall not have sharp edges and the depth and location of any marks shall notreduce the strength of the thimble.

NOTE: Manufacturers making a statement of compliance with this Australian Standard on a product, packaging, or promotional material relatedto that product are advised to ensure that such compliance is capable of being verified.

8 TESTING OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES Compliance of each design with the requirements of Clause 6 shallbe demonstrated.

NOTES:1 The test of each design is known as the type test, which determines the adequacy of the design for achieving the required performance.2 Each change in manufacturing process, grade of material, design, and size necessitates separate type testing, to demonstrate compliance with

the requirements of Clause 6.3 In addition to type testing, effective quality control necessitates systematic testing of each lot or batch to ensure continuing compliance with

the requirements of Clause 6.4 Means for demonstrating compliance with this Standard are given in Appendix D.

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9 AS 11381992

TABLE 4TEST FORCES

1 2 3Nominal size

of thimble

mm

Minimum breakingforce of test rope

(see Note)kN

Deformation force(see Clause 6.2)

kN89

10

40.251.163.1

16.120.525.3

111213

76.390.8

107

30.636.442.8

141618

124161204

49.664.481.6

202224

252305363

101122146

262832

426494646

171198259

364044

81710101220

327404488

485256

145017101980

580684792

60 2270 908NOTE: The values for minimum breaking force of test rope in Column 2 are specified inColumn 5 of Table 2.6 of AS 3569 for Grade 1770, galvanized or natural, round strand,equal lay, steel wire rope.

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AS 11381992 10

APPENDIX AINFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE SUPPLIED WITH ENQUIRIES AND ORDERS

(Informative)

The following information should be supplied with enquiries and orders for thimbles:(a) Description or type.(b) Whether thimbles are to be supplied with or without points.(c) The size of the opening of thimbles that are to be supplied in the open condition.(d) Nominal size.(e) The dimensions of the adjoining tackle to which the thimbles will be attached.(f) Grade of steel wire rope to be supported by the thimble where the rope has a grade of more than 1770 MPa.(g) Relevant interfacing dimensions of adjoining components.(h) Surface finish, unless self-coloured.(i) Any required means for demonstrating compliance with this Standard (see Appendix D).(j) Whether any additional testing such as analysis of material or non-destructive testing is required (see Clause 8).

NOTE: Any ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle testing, or Brinell hardness testing should be in accordance with AS 1065, AS 1171, or AS 1816respectively.

(k) Type of certificate required for detailing verification of compliance (e.g. NATA, certifying authority, supplier).(l) Whether a copy of the test certificate is to be supplied.

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11 AS 11381992

APPENDIX BSTANDARDS FOR COMPONENTS USED IN LIFTING SYSTEMS

(Informative)

The following is a list of Standards for components that are used in lifting systems:AS1138 Thimbles for wire rope1353 Flat synthetic-webbing slings1353.1 Part 1: Product specification1353.2 Part 2: Care and use1380 Fibre-rope slings (of natural or synthetic rope)1438 Wire-coil flat slings1504 Fibre ropeThree-strand, hawser laid1666 Wire-rope slings1752 Fibre ropeEight-strand plaited2076 Wire rope grips2089 Sheave blocks (including ships cargo blocks) of maximum lift 60 t2317 Collared eyebolts2318 Swivels for hoists2319 Rigging screws and turnbuckles2321 Short-link chain for lifting purposes (non-calibrated)2740 Wedge-type sockets2741 Shackles2759 Steel wire ropeApplication guide2841 Galvanized steel wire strand3569 Steel wire ropes3585 End fittings for flat-webbing slings3775 Chain slingsGrade T3776 Lifting components for Grade T chain slings3777 Shank hooks and large-eye hooksMaximum 25 tB291 Lifting rings and links

APPENDIX CCONDITIONS FOR APPLICATION OF TEST FORCES

(Normative)

The following conditions apply to the application of test forces to thimbles:(a) The testing machine shall be calibrated in accordance with AS 2193 and shall be capable of Class A results.(b) Manufacturing processes shall be completed.(c) The thimble shall be fitted to a wire rope, typically as shown in Figure 1.(d) The thimble shall be loaded with the test load by a pin having a nominal diameter of 1.5 times the nominal

diameter of the wire rope.(e) The test force shall be applied by the wire rope in tension to the thimble.

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APPENDIX DMEANS FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE WITH THIS STANDARD

(Informative)

D1 SCOPE This Appendix sets out the following methods by which compliance with this Standard can bedemonstrated by the manufacturer or supplier:(a) Assessment by means of statistical sampling.(b) The use of Standards Australias StandardsMark scheme.(c) Assurance using the acceptability of the suppliers quality system.(d) Other means proposed by the manufacturer or supplier and acceptable to the customer.D2 STATISTICAL SAMPLING Statistical sampling is a procedure that enables decisions to be made about thequality of batches of items after inspecting or testing only a portion of those items. This procedure will only be validif the sampling plan has been determined on a statistical basis and the following requirements are met:(a) The sample is drawn randomly from a population of product of known history that enables verification that the

product was made from known materials at essentially the same time by essentially the same processes and underessentially the same system of control.

(b) For each different situation, a suitable sampling plan is defined. A sampling plan for one manufacturer of givencapability and product throughput may not be relevant to another manufacturer producing the same items.

For statistical sampling to be meaningful to the customer, the manufacturer or supplier needs to demonstrate how theabove conditions have been satisfied. Sampling and the establishment of a sampling plan should be carried out inaccordance with AS 1199, guidance to which is given in AS 1399.D3 PRODUCT CERTIFICATIONSTANDARDSMARK The general purpose of StandardsMark certification isto provide independent assurance of the claim by the manufacturer that products comply with the stated Australian orInternational Standard.It is a certification scheme that meets the criteria of an ISO Type 5 scheme as specified by ISO Guide 44 in that, aswell as full type testing from independently sampled production and subsequent verification of conformance, it requiresthe manufacturer to maintain an effective quality plan to control production to ensure conformance with the relevantStandard.The StandardsMark serves to indicate that the products consistently conform to the requirements of the Standard.The StandardsMark can only be used by manufacturers approved and licensed by Standards Australia and only whenaccompanied by the number of the applicable Standard.D4 SUPPLIERS QUALITY SYSTEM Where the manufacturer or supplier can demonstrate an audited and registeredquality management system complying with the requirements of the appropriate or stipulated Australian or InternationalStandard for suppliers quality systems, such demonstration may provide the necessary confidence that the specifiedrequirements will be met. The quality assurance requirements need to be agreed between the customer and supplier andshould include a quality or inspection and test plan to ensure product conformity.Guidance in determining the appropriate quality management system is given in AS 3900 and AS 3904.1.D5 OTHER MEANS OF ASSESSMENT If the above methods are considered inappropriate, determination ofcompliance with the requirements of this Standard may be assessed on the basis of the results of testing coupled withthe manufacturers guarantee of product conformance.Irrespective of acceptable quality levels (AQLs) or test frequencies, the responsibility remains with the manufactureror supplier to supply products that conform fully with the requirements of the Standard.

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