Hardfaced Wear Part Brazing With an Expendable Metal Shell

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing hardfaced wear parts, such as those used in abrasive environments, face limitations in durability and cost-effectiveness due to the use of non-expendable molds and high material requirements, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased production costs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an expendable thin metal shell and infiltration brazing to create a composite wear part with a hard particulate material, where the shell is lightweight and easily fabricated, allowing for a cost-effective and efficient production process by using a steel substrate and Ni-Cr-Si-B brazing alloy powder.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional non-expendable molds are used for manufacturing hardfaced wear parts, then the structural integrity and durability of the final product is maintained, but the manufacturing cost increases and production efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidproduct durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin metal shells as expendable molds that are discarded after a single use. These shells are significantly cheaper than traditional non-expendable molds and are designed to be consumed during the infiltration brazing process, eliminating the need for expensive mold recovery and reuse operations while maintaining product quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and properties of the shell material through controlled heating during infiltration brazing. The shell transitions from a solid structural form to a molten state that infiltrates the carbide particles, fundamentally altering its properties to achieve both low-cost manufacturing and reliable product formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional infiltration methods with high material requirements are used, then the wear resistance of the hardfaced part is ensured, but the material costs and production complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The thin metal shell is strategically positioned to contact only the specific regions of carbide particles that require hardfacing. This localized approach ensures wear resistance is applied precisely where needed on the substrate, reducing unnecessary material consumption in areas that don't require enhanced wear protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure where the shell material, carbide particles, and substrate combine to form a hardfaced wear-resistant layer. This composite approach utilizes the complementary properties of each material - the shell's flow characteristics, the carbide's hardness, and the substrate's structural integrity - to achieve superior wear resistance with optimized material usage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If thin metal shells are used as expendable molds, then the manufacturing cost decreases and production efficiency improves, but the shell must be precisely controlled to ensure proper infiltration and bonding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidinfiltration control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The infiltration brazing process employs precisely controlled temperature parameters that transform the shell material's properties. By heating to specific temperature ranges, the shell transitions to a molten state with controlled viscosity and flow characteristics, enabling reliable infiltration of carbide particles and bonding to the substrate despite the shell's thin dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The shell acts as an intermediary medium that facilitates the bonding process between carbide particles and the substrate. During infiltration brazing, the shell material flows into the carbide particle network and bonds to the substrate, mediating the connection and ensuring proper infiltration control through its controlled thermal and flow properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach results in a durable, cost-effective hardfaced wear part with improved wear resistance and reduced material costs, as the thin metal shell is expendable and easily fabricated, while maintaining the structural integrity and wear resistance of the substrate.

Implementation Method 1

infiltration brazing or another brazing technique

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBrazing: Brazing

Implementation Method 2

infiltration brazing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfiltration: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP2694284B1Method for manufacturing hardfaced wearpart using brazing
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 ESCO GROUP LLC
  • EP2694284B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2694284B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2694284B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An article, such as a hardfaced wearpart, includes a substrate, a sheet metal shell connected to the substrate to define a cavity between the surface of the substrate and the shell, and a composite material filling the cavity and forming a coating on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate, the composite material including a hard particulate material infiltrated with a metallic brazing material. The shell may be connected to the substrate by welding or brazing to the substrate, and may wear away during use. The shell and the substrate may be used as part of an assembly for producing the article, where the shell is used as a mold for forming the composite material by filling the shell with the hard particulate material and subsequently infiltrating with the brazing material.