Hardfacing for life extension
Hydraulic cylinders in mining and heavy industry operate under extreme conditions where abrasion, corrosion, and impact damage can quickly lead to failure. Extending service life and reducing downtime are critical priorities for operators, and Melbourne-based Avweld Australasia is addressing these challenges through advanced hardfacing and coating technologies.
Avweld is a full-service repair and maintenance workshop providing complete inhouse overhaul and manufacture of hydraulic cylinders. This integrated capability ensures quality control while enabling faster turnaround of critical components.
A key service is High Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF) metal spraying, used to apply chrome-replacement coatings that avoid the environmental risks associated with traditional hard chrome plating. Chrome carbide coatings provide an effective direct replacement for hard chrome, delivering excellent wear and corrosion resistance. For severe applications requiring maximum abrasion protection, tungsten carbide coatings offer exceptional durability.
Avweld also offers laser cladding hardface overlay technology, a precision process that metallurgically bonds a dense protective layer to the base material. The most widely used laser clad material for hydraulic rods is a hard, corrosion-resistant martensitic stainless steel. For extreme operating environments, nickel-based alloys provide enhanced resistance to both abrasion and corrosion.
Recent accelerated salt spray testing for a major OEM achieved the highest possible corrosion resistance rating, confirming the performance of Avweld’s coating systems.
The Melbourne facility can handle hydraulic cylinders up to 10 metres long entirely inhouse. Combined with 24/7 operations and rapid turnaround capability, Avweld helps mining operators minimise downtime while significantly extending equipment life.
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