Clifton steel specializes in wear products designed to prolong the life of steel in both equipment and fabrications. Our premier product, Clif-Clad, offers superior protection in a variety of applications where excessive wear is a factor. In our video, we address some of the most commonly asked questions about chromium carbide overlay.
How does clif-clad compare to ar plate?
Clifton steel specializes in wear products designed to prolong the life of steel in both equipment and fabrications. Our premier product, Clif-Clad, offers superior protection in a variety of applications where excessive wear is a factor. Let’s address some commonly asked questions about this Chromium Carbide Overlay product and how it will best serve you.
As you can see by the above images, the Clif-Clad Chromium Carbide Overlay plate has a higher abrasion and impact resistance level than the AR plate.
How is clif-clad made?
The chromium carbide overlay is applied to a carbon steel base plate using an automated seam welder. Now, multiple layers of overlay can be applied to one base plate as long as the thickness of the overlay does not exceed the thickness of the baseplate being used. This process generates our stock overlay plate which is typically sold in 48” x 120” sheets. Larger widths are available, upon request, up to a maximum of 90 inches. For smaller parts, or for leading edges, the same overlay can be applied by hand using a MIG or stick motor application.
Are surface cracks normal?
The surface cracks are a normal occurrence. They are stress relief cracks that occur as the plate shrinks as it cools. The cracks do not travel into the base plate, and therefore do not compromise the integrity of the material. As you can see from the top left photo, the base plate has no cracks and is not compromised in any way.
Is the overlay secure in its fusion to the baseplate?
It is secure. The overlay process causes the overlay to fuse to the baseplate to prevent it from peeling away. This end process gives us our desired nominal thickness.
What is “nominal thickness”?
This is how we measure the total thickness of a finished Clif-Clad plate, with an overall tolerance of + or – 1/16 of an inch.
For example, a 1/2″ nominal plate is typically a 1/4″ overlay applied to a 1/4″ of base plate. The end result will be a plate that ranges between 7/16″ and 9/16″ thick, hence 1/2″ nominal thickness.
How easy is clif-clad to work with?
Clif-Clad is not difficult to work with so long as the proper procedures are followed. When cutting Clif-Clad, only plasma or waterjet must be used. The material cannot be flame, laser, or saw cut. Due to the extreme hardness, it cannot be drilled or CNC machined, but it can be Blanchard ground.
When is clif-clad not preferable to use?
It is chiefly used as a liner material, the overlay itself however, has no structural integrity. It can be used in fabrications on it’s won, for example in formed pipes, but any welds or seams that require structural integrity must be adhered to the base plate and not the overlay itself.
When is clif-clad preferable to use?
Any areas which receive excessive wear or impact. Clif-Clad can increase the life of these components by 3-5x in many applications. Between CC and AR plate, if structural integrity is not a factor, I would choose the overlay Clif-Clad 100% of the time for the increased life expectancy it would give your material components.
Contact a Clifton Seel overlay expert to find out how Clif-Clad Chromium Carbide Overlay can benefit you!