Carbide hardfacing is not a common topic of discussion in most industries today, but maybe it should be. The truth is, hard surfacing can be a cost effective way to save on equipment costs and improve performance at the same time. Here are some important things to know about the subject, to help you get a better understanding.
How Does Hard Surfacing Work?
Suppose your excavator bucket is cracked or some of the teeth are worn down. You might be thinking it’s time to replace the bucket but you could have a better option. Instead of buying new, you can make many types of repairs and even resurface the bucket with a procedure known as hard surfacing.
By using very hard materials like tungsten carbide, your bucket can have new teeth and cracks can be effectively sealed. In addition, the crack seal will be resistant to corrosion and as strong as the rest of the bucket. When teeth are resurfaced, they bite better into hard and rocky ground and last much longer than standard steel teeth.
Can All Metals be Hard Surfaced?
Not all materials are suitable for carbide hardfacing. Here are some you can work with:
* Cast iron
* Stainless steel
* Manganese alloy steel
* Copper alloys
* Nickel alloys
* Carbon steel (less than one percent carbon)
Which Welding Process is Best?
The most commonly used method is called FCAW. It stands for flux-cored arc welding. This is a semi automatic welding technique in which a continuous rod material is fed into an arc welder. MIG and oxy welding are also commonly used techniques for carbide hardfacing.
Check Cracking Issues
With some carbide materials, you may notice check cracking. These cracks move out from the weld bead and this is sometimes caused when metal cools. To avoid this, you may need to use a buffer layer.
