Wear-resistant cast steel with chromium carbides
WearProtect WMC
We use wear-resistant cast steel (hardguss, chromguss, nihard) when replacing highly abrasive parts that you cannot assemble from wear-resistant sheets. We also choose wear-resistant cast steel when series are involved: large numbers of products of one type. This wear-resistant steel is an alloy of steel and chromium, cast in a mold. Very hard carbides are formed in the alloy. By choosing different ratios, we can make all kinds of varieties with hardnesses from 54 to as much as 64 Rockwell. In this regard, the harder the more brittle. You must always look for the right combination of toughness and hardness for a specific application and thus for more impact-resistant or, on the contrary, highly wear-resistant material.
Large series or special parts
In general, we choose cast wear-resistant steel for larger quantities of standard products. After all, a mold must first be made of each casting part. Depending on the complexity of the part, such a casting mold can cost thousands of dollars. That makes wear-resistant cast steel parts relatively expensive. But once you have such a mold, the cost per part drops as you make more of them. Whether you choose wear-resistant cast steel even for smaller series depends on many factors. Sometimes we look for alternative solutions, such as welding wear-resistant material onto existing cast parts. However, you have to check whether the material can be welded on. If that is not possible, we still opt for wear-resistant cast steel.
Wear-resistant cast steel in practice
Cast steel with chromium carbides, also called chromium steel or “chromguss,” is also a good solution once the part has more complex shapes that we cannot assemble with welded-on plates. For example, we use wear-resistant cast steel for the hammers that break recycled glass for the glass factory. Other examples include screw worms and augers to transport products, press them or bring them to a mixing drum, and mixing vanes for concrete and asphalt production, among others.
Wear-resistant mixing vanes
Pictured is a mixing paddle manufactured for a major Dutch asphalt producer, which had to stop production several times a year to replace the mixing paddles. Standard blades last an average of one year. But where a foreign plant produces 80,000 tons per year, our Dutch customer makes 500,000 tons per year. Moreover, they use a lot of recycled asphalt milled from the road. This milled asphalt, also called PR, consists of broken and sharp material. When processing this in the plant, more wear and tear occurs. With our special wear-resistant alloys, the asphalt mixer still makes it through the planned summer or winter shutdown despite the enormous production volumes. A saving that makes the investment in wear-resistant cast steel blades well worthwhile.
Technical details
Wear-resistant cast steel is available in different hardnesses, depending on the application. Cast parts are often used in combination with wear-resistant welded-on plate so that the area surrounding the part also achieves similar wear resistance. All this to extend the tool life to enable planned periodic maintenance. Wivé Techniek provides advice, measuring and drawing, production and possibly even assembly of the wear-resistant cast steel.
Learn more about wear resistant cast steel
Whether you call it hardguss, chromguss, nihard or simply wear-resistant cast steel, this wear-resistant material proves its worth in a wide variety of industries. Wherever wear and tear occurs, Wivé Techniek can contribute to wear protection and thus extend service life. Also in your processes? Definitely. Contact us for an introduction to our experts in wear protection, or request a quotation right away!