The mining, mineral-processing, and extractive metallurgy industries are concerned with a wide range of corrosive and erosive media. High-manganese steel in crushing and grinding service, various types of cast (hard) iron grinding balls and mill liners, hardenable and carburized grades of low-alloy steel gears and geared transmissions mining machinery, steel and carbide tools and drills, high-nickel and cobalt hardfacing alloys, stainless steel leaching tanks and pumps, and high-nickel-chromium and titanium alloys are commonly used for the most severe environments. This wide selection of materials and their service lives affect operation cost and productivity that directly impacts the cost of the extracted metal. With the increased mechanization in mines, corrosion problems and material performance become increasingly important to the mining industry and the search for better materials and material coating processes in terms of their performance and costs is still underway. Corrosion associated with the mining industry can be characterized as electrochemical attack enhanced by abrasion. All ingredients for corrosion attack are available, including highly conductive water, grinding media, dissimilar materials, oxygen, large pH range, stresses, and the presence of many well-known corrosive species in solution. Mine atmospheres and mine waters are unique in that they vary widely from mine to mine. For example, temperatures have been found to range from approximately 5 to 30 °C (40 to 90 °F) in coal mines and above 40 °C (100 °F) in metal mines. Refrigeration and air conditioning have become necessary for improved working conditions. Humidity levels between 90 and 100% are common. Mine water also varies in mineral content, pH, and corrosivity.
Mining & Mineral Processing Applications:
- Pumps
- Screws
- Conveyance
- Pipes and Columns
- Debarker tips
- Wear plates
- Elbows
- Shear bars