Inspecting Hard Facing Doesn’t Have to Be Hard: PCI of Chrome Carbide Overlay

Mining equipment needs to be tough to withstand the harsh demands of the mining process. During operation, many mining extraction and processing components are subject to abrasion, often compounded by corrosion. To shield surfaces from wear, they can be protected with a welded layer called hard facing. Chrome carbide overlay (CCO) is a go-to hard-facing solution because of its wear resistance and affordability compared with other overlay options such as tungsten. Regardless of the durability of mining assets, proactive inspection and maintenance of parts that endure the most wear and tear is essential to extend the life of equipment. Ultrasonic testing (UT) is a favored method for this, as it offers a portable nondestructive testing (NDT) option for inspecting CCO and hard facing. Recent advancements in UT technology have produced a technique that has the potential to solve some challenges associated with this inspection application.