If your company utilizes industrial metal in Arizona, you’re well aware that metals are not all created equally. But how familiar are you with the wear resistance of the metals you’re using in your construction or fabrication applications? Are you choosing the right metals for the jobs?

Metal wear resistance is different from its durability or toughness. Wear resistance in metal specifically refers to its ability to withstand mechanical actions such as friction without losing material. For reference and contrast, metal durability refers to a metal’s ability to resist corrosion, weathering, or other damage. Conversely, metal toughness refers to a material’s ability to withstand force without fracturing.

There are different types of wear that can occur in metals.

• Corrosive wear occurs when mechanical degradation occurs amidst chemical corrosion, such as where machine parts are exposed to abrasive chemicals. Examples of corrosive wear could include metals used in mining, chemical processing, and water-based applications.

  Some metals that are the most resistant to corrosive wear include aluminum alloys, steel, brass, and copper alloys.

• Spalling wear, also known as deformation wear, can happen when repeated force to the metal causes small fractures which in turn cause flaking, which can then grow into larger defects such as pits in the surface. Spalling often occurs as a result of excessive rolling pressure, projectile impact, or weathering.

  Some users note success with preventing spall by galvanizing, using steel plate spall guards, or other commercial spall prevention products. Ask the team at Arizona Iron Supply  for more information on the best spall prevention in Arizona for your application.

• Fretting wear occurs with vibration – specifically, when two pieces of metal joined together are not intended to move or meet. One example is accidental vibrations where an airplane wing meets the aircraft body.

  Brass has been proven to be less susceptible to fretting corrosion than most other metals including steel, cast iron, and aluminum. Most metals are susceptible to fretting corrosion if not coated in non-fretting elements.

• Cavitation wear can happen when changes in a liquid in contact with a metal surface cause gas bubbles to form and pop, or cause steam to appear. The effects of these changes in liquid can cause cavities in metal surfaces.

  Nickel, titanium alloys, and stainless steel are relatively resistant to cavitation. You can help mitigate cavitation wear by increasing the fluid pressure in hydraulics systems and also avoiding high temperatures by operating your hydraulics system with the fluid at a consistent temperature below the boiling point.

Feeling more confused than ever?

We get it – choosing the just-right metal for your application is anything but straightforward. 

That’s where we come in. 

At Arizona Iron Supply, metal in Arizona is what we do. Every time you call, or walk in our warehouse door, you’ll get personalized service from experts in the metal industry. We specialize in all aspects of industrial metal in Phoenix, the full range of metal capabilities and limitations, and are always available to answer questions or talk through issues. Our customers are our priority, and we can’t wait to work with you.