Hardfacing Services

A C H Steel is a provider of tungsten carbide hardfacing services (aka tungsten carbide embedding). As a specialist ISO 3834 certified welding company, we are highly proficient at the application of tungsten carbide materials onto surfaces to prevent wear through abrasion. Hardfacing of metals is commonly required in the following applications:

severe friction occurs between machinery and bulk materials
metal on metal friction frequently occurs
or similar severe impact or abrasive conditions are prevalent

In these applications, metal surfaces are eroded on the machinery, requiring regular replacement if left untreated. Hardfacing is an additive manufacturing technique that applies a hardened material (in this case tungsten carbide) to the metal surfaces to prolong the life of high-wear equipment.

Our Hardfacing Process

Every hardfacing job we undertake follows these stages. It allows us to reliably deliver projects on time, on budget and to the exacting quality standards required by our clients.

Project Review

We work with you to confirm the scope of works, project timings, key points of contact and more - everything we need to ensure a successful hardfacing project.
Hardfacing Design Review

We review component application, including how it is utilised on equipment, the abrasion and impact conditions, to determine the most effective hardfacing embedment.
Embedding
- The hardfacing pattern is marked out of the surface
- All paint or surface protection is removed to ensure we weld on clean steel
- The weld piece is prepared against bracing or any deformation
- The weld machine is prepared - there can be many steps involved with this depending on the type of hardfacing
- We setup automation and commence welding
- Post-weld heat treatment or bending to correct distortion
Quality / Delivery

Once all quality checks are completed, we arrange delivery anywhere in Australia - including mine sites or to your local warehouse.

Our Hardfacing Services

Tungsten Carbide Embedding

As an ISO 3834 certified company, we deliver hardfacing welding services not just to end users of high wear equipment, but we are also a subcontractor to some of the hardfacing specialists in Australia. This is because we are equipped to provide premium quality welding services - including embedment of tungsten carbide - at high volume and fast turnaround times.

We recommend hardfacing with Tungsten Carbide embedment compared to other materials (such as Chromium Carbide) as it delivers the highest abrasion resistance. This service is regularly provided for high wear parts such as drill bits, teeth, rotors, anvils, loader and various wear parts and ground engaging tools.

Wear Management

The hardfacing process is able to extend the service life of equipment by up to 800%. Key parts must be “hard-faced” to prevent material loss and significantly reduce wear and tear.

Extend the life of high wear parts and reduce spare parts inventory
Increase equipment efficiency and reduce downtime
Increase productivity and operational profitability

Through our hardfacing service, we enable better wear management practices for the following industries and applications:

Earthmoving
Mining
Demolition
Materials Processing
Civil Works

Why choose us for Tungsten Carbide Embedding

Companies choose A C H Steel for the hardfacing services because we are one of a handful of ISO 3834 certified companies - which means we reliably deliver high quality welded products every time.

We can fabricate up to 6,500 square cm of hardfacing each day
Fixed pricing structure for jobs of all sizes
We can accommodate sizeable mining / drilling equipment, whatever the application may be
Fast turnover and delivery to your site / warehouse

Our Hardfacing experience

Some of the recent tungsten carbide hardfacing projects we’ve delivered.

Product: Excavator Edges & Other Parts

Application: Industrial wear parts & equipment

Sectors: Mining

Location: Northern Queensland

Product: Stacker Reclaimer Repairs

Application: Coal Export Port

Sectors: Mining

Location: Newcastle, New South Wales

FAQs about Tungsten Carbide Hardfacing

Here are some common questions we get asked on this topic.

Is tungsten carbide the best hardfacing material for all applications?

Hardfacing is a weld treatment that applies wear resistant materials to a ase component to reduce wear on that component. But there are many types of “wear”. Tungsten Carbide is one of the most widely used materials for hardfacing because it is best suited for abrasion resistance - which is the main type of wear.

What metals can be hardfaced?

Carbon and low-alloy steels with carbon contents of less than 1 percent can be hardfaced. High-carbon alloys may require a special buffer layer. This includes the following base metals: stainless steels, manganese steels, cast irons and steels, nickel-base alloys and copper-base alloys.

What types of wear are best suited to hardfacing?

As mentioned above, abrasion is the most common type of “wear” that steel components experience. However, they also experience: impact, metal-on-metal wear, thermal fatigue and corrosion. Most parts undergo multiple types of wear in their life.

Still got questions?

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Hardfacing Services

Our Hardfacing Process

Project Review

Hardfacing Design Review

Embedding

Quality / Delivery