Friction Welding for Mining Components

In a mining environment, equipment longevity and performance is vital to maintaining productive work. Because friction welding is a solid-state welding process, it minimizes the wear and tear on the equipment by avoiding high temperatures and thus, avoids the melting of materials. The joint durability allows for longer periods of continuous use, reducing downtime and maintenance costs

Friction welding is a solid-state forging process. Materials being joined through friction welding are heated to a temperature that makes them plasticized, not melted. Then, using extremely high forces, the pieces are pressed together to form a forge quality bond. Since materials are not melted in the friction welding process, the result is a part featuring solid, 100% butt joints that are durable for years of use. Distortion is minimal and quality is consistent, leaving you with stress-free joints for years to come.

For years, oil sands companies have been brazing tungsten carbide tiles onto parts of their equipment that come into direct contact with the workload. While the tiles do, indeed, slow deterioration, it’s not a fail-proof method. Residual stress from thermal expansion and contraction causes a vulnerable condition at the edge of the brazed material. With friction welding, the process itself actually helps to decrease wear because of the low forging temperature.

Ground engagement tools (GETs) used in the mining industry are typically large components used for heavy-duty work. MTI is home to the largest linear friction welder in the world. Weighing in at 122,000lbs with a measured size of 22’x8x14’, the LF35-75 supports your full-scale development and production goals.