If you work in the metals and recycling industry, you rely on heavy-duty equipment to process, sort, and transport materials every day. You also know that your equipment is subjected to an incredible amount of abrasion, impact, and other forms of wear and tear. Unfortunately, these incredibly high levels of wear and tear can lead to frequent repairs and costly downtime for your operation.
Luckily, there are ways to mitigate the wear that your equipment sees every day. One of the most cost-effective ways to do so is through the use of specialty abrasion-resistant (AR) steel plates like Tri-Braze®. These specialized steel plates are designed to deal with the uniquely high levels of wear that metals and recycling operations like yours experience. In this article, we’ll delve into everything you need to know about specialized AR steel plates and how they can help your metals and recycling business.
The Role of Abrasion Resistant Steel Plates in Metals and Recycling
In the metals and recycling industry, specialty AR steel plates act as a protective barrier, shielding your equipment from the relentless wear and tear caused by abrasive materials like scrap metal.
Specialty AR steel like Tri-Braze is designed from a molecular level to handle impact and abrasion better than traditional abrasion resistant steel, making it ideal for use in key pieces of equipment in the metal recycling process. This allows critical components to last much longer, which leads to fewer repairs and more time in between those repairs.
Key Benefits of Using AR Steel Plates for Metals and Recycling Equipment
When you implement specialty AR steel properly in your metals and recycling operation, you’ll go longer between repairs for key components and equipment. This means your business can run more efficiently and longer between repairs, operating at a higher level of efficiency and bringing in more revenue.
There’s another benefit to going longer between repairs: fewer repairs means a lower chance of employee injury when machines need maintenance. This means that implementing specialized AR steel plates can actually help foster a safer work environment for your employees.
Types of AR Steel Plates Best Suited for Metals and Recycling Businesses
There are different types—or grades—of AR steel that possess different qualities. This means that picking the right grade of steel is key to the successful implementation of AR steel plates. Some common grades of AR steel are AR400, AR450, and AR500, plus specialized steel types like our proprietary Tri-Braze formula.
When it comes to AR steel grades, the higher the number, the more resistant the steel is to abrasion. However, there is a tradeoff for high abrasion resistance. The higher the hardness of a steel, the less workable and impact resistant it is. This means that the hardest steels are difficult to bend, cut, or weld.
This is why many metals and recycling operations turn to Tri-Braze for a unique blend of durability and flexibility. Our unique steel chemistry makes Tri-Braze last 2-4 times longer than traditional wear plates while still being welder-friendly for diverse applications.
Applications of AR Steel Plates in Metals and Recycling Equipment
Metals and recycling plant operators often choose specific key areas or pieces of equipment to implement specialty AR steel like Tri-Braze. These areas include:
Shredders and Crushers
Shredders and crushers are designed to break down large pieces of scrap metal into smaller, more workable pieces of metal. In doing so, these pieces of equipment encounter tremendous levels of abrasion and impact. This makes them a prime area for you to implement specialty AR steel plates. By lining these areas with AR steel, you can prevent excessive wear and ensure that your equipment continues to function longer between repairs.
Conveyors and Sorting Systems
Conveyors and sorting systems are key for moving shredded scrap metal where it needs to go. Unfortunately, the process of moving shredded metal can create an incredible amount of abrasion for equipment. By installing specialty AR steel plates like Tri-Braze on high-wear areas of conveyor systems, you can help preserve the system, ensuring that it experiences as little downtime as possible.
Transfer Points, Chutes, and Hoppers
Transfer points, chutes, and hoppers are key areas that experience incredible amounts of wear and tear, as they help transfer metal between the different stages of processing. The constant impact and friction of scrap metal can lead to equipment damage and blockages. By lining chutes and hoppers with specialty AR steel plates, you can prevent premature wear and tear and decrease the number of blockages and equipment strain.
Partner With Tricon Wear Solutions
If you’re looking for a way to extend the lifespan of your equipment and improve your bottom line, then specialty abrasion-resistant steel plates are a great option. By implementing specialized AR steel plates like Tri-Braze in key areas of your operation, you can reduce wear and tear, minimize downtime, and improve safety.
Not sure where to go from here? Start a conversation with our team of experts who can help you choose the right AR steel plates for your specific application.
