The Hidden Enemy: How Internal Corrosion Destroys Elevator Ropes from the Inside Out
When you step into a lift, you trust that the elevator ropes holding the cabin are strong enough to keep you safe. However, there is a hidden danger that even the most experienced building managers sometimes miss: internal corrosion. This "silent enemy" eats away at the metal from the inside, making it possible for a cable to look perfectly fine on the outside while it is actually rotting away at its core. Why the Inside Matters An elevator cable is not just one thick piece of metal. It is made of hundreds of tiny steel wires twisted together into "strands," which are then wrapped around a center piece called a core. This design makes the cable flexible so it can move smoothly over pulleys. The problem is that these tiny gaps between the wires can trap moisture, salt, or humid air. Once water gets inside, it stays there. Because the inside never dries out, rust begins to grow where no one can see it. As the elevator moves, these rusty wires rub against each other...