Evolution of the Grizzly Screen/Deck
A grizzly screen or deck is a simple way to separate oversized rocks before they are fed into a crushing unit that will be crushed into smaller pieces for further processing. There is a rich history behind grizzly screens, as they were first used a few hundred years ago when mining first became mechanized. Since then, grizzly screens/decks have evolved into essential equipment which enhances the automated refining operation of the modern era. (more…)
The Various Types of Steel and Why Wear Resistant Steels Are the Best
Steel is a type of iron alloy that has a much lower carbon content than Wrought Iron or Cast Iron, as we discussed in a previous blog. The first thing to remember about steel is that it’s made from Iron. There are also thousands of different types of steels formulated and made to perform specific tasks under various working conditions. Conveniently, these can be grouped into 4 general classes of steels. (more…)
Difference Between Steel, Cast Iron and Wrought Iron
Most people refer to IRON as STEEL and STEEL as IRON. However, these are two very different products. Iron or iron ore is the fourth-most abundant element on the planet and can be found and mined in the earth to make various steels, cast iron, wrought iron, high/low alloy steels etc. Iron ore is the base element to make all grades of iron and steels, and is also an essential mineral which helps make hemoglobin in the human body. (more…)
Hardness vs Hardenability
When discussing abrasion resistant steel two terms that will often come up are ‘Hardness’ and ‘Hardenability,’ and while they may sound like the same thing because they have the same etymological root, they refer to very different aspects of abrasion resistant steel. While hardness is a characteristic of steel, hardenability describes the ability to do it. (more…)
Stress Relieving, Normalizing, Annealing & Their Effect On Wear Resistant Steel
Heat treating is a process used to change chemical and mechanical properties of wear resistant steel produced in its original form. A common example of this is heating the material to high temperature, quick cooling with water or oil (Quenching) and then re-heating at lower temperatures (Tempering).
Annealing, Normalizing and Stress Relieving do not involve any Quenching or Tempering. (more…)
The Importance of an ISO Certification
What Does ISO Stand for?
Customers often inquire about our ISO Certification. ISO stands for “International Organization for Standardization”, despite the fact that the letters are out of sequence. The name in different languages results in different acronyms. Thus, all 164 countries (who use ISO) agreed to use the ISO designation. (more…)
Waterjet Cutting as a “Value Added” Fabrication Option
What Is a Waterjet Cutter?
A waterjet cutter is a versatile industrial tool that can be used to cut a wide variety of wear resistant steels and other materials such as wood and glass. The waterjet cuts through material by combining a very high-pressure jet of water with fine particles of garnet (60,000 to 90,000 psi). This combination “gouges out” or removes tiny particles of the wear resistant steel, which effectively makes the cut. Water alone with no garnet can be used to cut softer material such as wood, plastic or rubber. (more…)
The Ideal Wear Resistant Steel Has A Combination of Austenite and Martensite
Austenite and Martensite, in steel, refers to the microstructure of steel at the atomic level. During the tempering process or cooling, Austenite is transformed into Martensite. The ideal wear resistant steel would have a combination of retained Austenite as well as some transformed Martensite. (more…)