Shell Gadus S3 Wirerope A
Shell Gadus S3 Wirerope A is a premium wire rope grease specifically developed to provide effective lubrication and corrosion protection for wire ropes, cables and chains operating in severe environmental conditions. The grease is formulated using high viscosity mineral base oils combined with a lithium-calcium complex thickener system and enhanced with carefully selected additives. This advanced formulation provides outstanding load carrying capability while delivering reliable resistance to oxidation, wear and corrosion in demanding applications.
A key advantage of Shell Gadus S3 Wirerope A is its exceptional resistance to water and moisture contamination. Equipment operating in marine or offshore environments is frequently exposed to saltwater, spray and humidity. The grease is designed with strong water-repellent characteristics, helping it remain on metal surfaces and maintain effective lubrication even when exposed to water-rich environments. This property ensures consistent protection for wire ropes and cables used in offshore and subsea applications.
The grease also provides excellent corrosion protection. Wire ropes and steel cables operating in marine environments are particularly vulnerable to rust and corrosion, especially when exposed to saltwater. Shell Gadus S3 Wirerope A contains corrosion inhibitors that help protect metal surfaces and prevent rust formation. Testing results demonstrate excellent rust prevention performance in both distilled water and synthetic saltwater conditions, confirming the product’s suitability for harsh offshore applications.
Another important benefit of the grease is its strong load carrying capability. The extreme pressure and anti-wear components in the formulation are incorporated directly into the thickener system, enabling the grease to maintain an effective protective film under heavy loads. This helps reduce friction and wear on wire rope strands, extending the service life of cables and mechanical components operating under demanding loads.
Shell Gadus S3 Wirerope A also provides excellent adhesion properties. The grease adheres strongly to metal surfaces, helping it remain in place during operation and reducing lubricant loss. This adhesion helps maintain continuous lubrication coverage and protects wire ropes and chains from wear and environmental damage. The product can be applied through specialised central lubrication systems, including systems such as the Masto™ lubrication system, allowing efficient and consistent grease distribution.
Shell Gadus S3 Wirerope A is particularly suited for the lubrication and corrosion protection of steel armoured remotely operated vehicle (ROV) cables operating in saltwater environments across both arctic and tropical climates. It can also be used for other types of wire ropes and chains where excellent adhesion, water resistance and rust inhibition are required. These characteristics make it suitable for offshore, marine, mining and heavy industrial applications.
Physical characteristics include NLGI 1.5 consistency with a lithium-calcium complex thickener and mineral base oil. The grease has a base oil viscosity of approximately 520 mm²/s at 40°C and 35 mm²/s at 100°C. It has a dropping point of approximately 260°C and demonstrates strong extreme pressure performance with a four-ball weld load of at least 7200 N. The grease operates across a temperature range of approximately –15°C to +150°C, with temporary peaks up to around 200°C.
