LIBRARY

“Hardfacing is the process of depositing, by one of various welding techniques, a layer or layers of metal of specific properties on certain areas of metal parts that are exposed to wear”.

By expanding this definition a little further, it can be seen that hardfacing has more to offer than most other wear prevention treatments:

1. It is performed by welding. Thus it is part of a well established practice with which people are familiar. There are very few new skills to be learned and in the vast majority of cases, existing equipment can be employed.
2. A layer or layers of metal can be deposited. This means that hardfacing provides protection in depth. It can be applied in a thickness required to give long lasting protection.
3. Metal of specific properties is deposited. There are a wide variety of deposit types available, each specifically designed to withstand certain forms of wear and service conditions.
4. Hardfacing is applied only to specific areas of metal parts that are exposed to wear. There is often no need to protect the entire surface of a component from wear. Hardfacing can be applied selectively and in different thicknesses to suit the exact requirements of a piece of equipment, thereby proving a most economical way of combating wear.

According to the American Welding Society, “hard surfacing” or hardfacing is defined as; “The deposition of filler metal on a metal surface to obtain the desired properties and/or dimensions”, the desired properties being those that will resist abrasion, heat and corrosion.

A further definition of hardfacing is: “The application of hard, wear-resistant material to the surface of a component by welding, spraying or allied welding process for the main purpose of reducing wear or loss of metal by abrasion, impact, erosion, galling and cavitation” .It also applies where corrosion and elevated temperatures are present with one or more of the above service conditions.

Hardfacing is a particular form of surfacing that excludes the application of materials primarily for corrosion prevention or resistance to high temperature scaling or the application of low hardness, low friction over-lays to prevent galling -eg. bronze surfacing. It also excludes the hardening of surfaces solely by heat treatments such as flame hardening, or nitriding.

A wide range of CeraMetal wire products and electrodes are available for the three main types of hardfacing applications carried out in industry;

1. Build-up or rebuilding applications.
2. Hard surfacing or overlay applications.
3. Both build-up and overlay applications.

1.Hardfacing extends the life of worn components and equipment:
Build-up or hard surfacing can extend the life of a component by as much as 250% compared to that of a new or non hardfaced component.

2.Hardfacing increases the operating efficiency of equipment by reducing downtime: Hardfaced components last longer, because fewer shutdowns or stoppages and therefore increase the operating efficiency of the equipment.

3.Hardfacing reduces overall costs:
The cost of refurbishing a worn component is typically 50 -75% of the cost of a new component.

4.Hardfaced parts can be manufactured from cheaper base metals:
A part which is hard surfaced before use can often be manufactured from a cheaper base metal than one which is not designed to be hard surfaced before use.

5.Hardfacing minimises the inventory of spare parts:
If worn parts are usually refurbished there is no need to keep high stock holdings.

Hardfacing Internally
Small Radius

Hardfacing Externally
Small Radius

Hardfacing Internally
Large Radius

Hardfacing Externally
Large Radius

Forming with hardfacing internally reduces the crack width. Under certain circumstances forming can lead to breakage. Care should be taken to avoid breakage & detachment.

Forming with hardfacing externally increases the crack width. Large cracks can be corrected by welding using matching consumables.

* These values are only indicative and greatly depend on the hardfacing type and on the bending method used.