What is weld overlay? It’s a process that involves welding one metal onto a base metal. Welding overlay improves the base metal layer, which is made corrosion-resistant or wear-resistant using hardfacing. Weld overlaying can create customized parts for ground engaging equipment and other machinery.
Explore the different types of weld overlay you should know to find the process that works best for your equipment.
Chrome Carbide Overlay (CCO)
Chrome carbide overlay is a common welding overlay used to apply hardfacing to metals.
- CCO is an inexpensive method (compared to creating the same parts from abrasion-resistant steels) used to strengthen blades, rippers, and other equipment
- Machinery subjected to abrasion, cavitation, or exposure to high-temperature applications can benefit from CCO. However, it’s ideal for mild to moderate impact abrasion resistance.
- If you’re looking for low maintenance and easy installation, CCO is a good choice.
- A CCO surface plate will have beading and hairline cracks, but this is one of the advantages of the plate. The cracks are welding stress release, so the plate won’t suffer problems like fracturing or deformation.
Plasma Transfer Arc Welded (PTA)
Plasma transfer arc is a welding overlay process that uses a tungsten electrode to supply a flux to the arc externally. It’s a complex method that uses powder, but it’s capable of overlaying complex carbide alloys. When blended, the metal powders create a specialized overlay.
Tungsten Carbide Overlay
Tungsten carbide is a semi-automatic welding overlay method that uses an inert gas such as CO2. It acts as a shield for the welded area on non-ferrous materials. This overlay technique is great for heavily abrasive environments like quarry or mining.
Find Heavy Equipment Wear Parts
Many industries use weld overlay to create customized pipes, fittings, and values, but you’ll also see it used often to strengthen and protect ground-engaging equipment. By understanding the different types of weld overlay you should know, you’ll be able to decide on the correct overlay for your machinery.
Order heavy wear equipment parts with Cast Steel Products and learn more about how to maintainground engaging equipment and mill machinery by exploring our bogs.