Every wear environment is unique. Because of this unique solutions will provide the best wear properties. AIM has a process that allows us to develop a custom made solution. The process follows the sequence below,
1. Identify the process and wear conditions
a. Acid or base
b. Particle size
c. Medium. Water, Air ect
d. Product Travel speed
e. Forces acting on surface of product
f. Temperature
g. Pressure
2. Identify the Wear process. This can be identified by looking at the process, wear conditions and examining a worn sample. Typical types of wear can includes
a. Cavitation (caused by low pressure zones forming when a product moves through a liquid or when a moving liquid develops low pressure zones)
b. Sliding wear abrasion (occurs when practicals slide across the surface of a product)
c. Impact abrasion (Occurs when a particle impact the surface at 90 degrees to the surface or an appreciable fraction of that)
3. Identify the base materials of the product being worn. This is essential as it will affect the way a hard facing product can be applied.
4. Identify the wear resistant materials suitable for the wear type and process conditions. Typical material are suitable for different processes and wear. For example
a. Tungsten carbide in a suitable matrix can be used for both impact and sliding wear applications.
b. Titanium Dioxide is suitable for titanium and duplex substrates in acid and medium temperature environments.
c. Stellite alloys are suitable for high temperature oxidative and abrasive wear applications.
d. Correctly alloyed Chrome carbide can be used for impact and sliding wear application under a broad range of conditions.
5. Identify the best method of application for the process conditions and the material being applied. Application processes include
a. Welding Processes including Mig, Tig, SAW and PTA
b. Thermal spray processes including HVOF, APS and Flame Spray
c. Brazing processes including Flame, Furnace and Induction Brazing
