Wear resistant materials for highly erosive environments (WEAR)

This project addresses the urgent need for new materials which offer radically improved performance for

the manufacture of critical components for slurry pumps. These pumps, used extensively in coal and mineral

mining and processing, are subject to impact, wear and corrosion. Current materials, typically white cast iron,

are only able to provide some of the properties required in this extremely demanding environment, thus

limiting the service life of parts and increasing the risk of premature failure. This high value equipment is often

installed in remote locations overseas making replacement difficult and costly. Moreover, failure can halt major

mining operations, leading to substantial financial penalties. In WEAR a novel material solution, will be

developed using an advanced powder metallurgy approach. In the project samples of material will be

subjected to accelerated life testing and the most appropriate material will be used to produce a

demonstration part which will be tested in the field.