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Wear challenges in high-capacity industrial fans
High-capacity industrial fans operating in steel plants, cement works, sinter plants and exhaust gas systems are exposed to fine, highly abrasive particles, typically in the range of 5–20 µm.
- These particles cause:
- Severe erosion on blade leading edges
- Wear on backplates and shrouds
- Rotor imbalance and vibration
- Reduced efficiency and shortened service life
Conventional thick wear plates increase rotor mass, negatively affecting dynamic behavior and energy efficiency.
Lightweight design as a key requirement
For high-speed rotating fans:
Additional mass leads to disproportionate increases in centrifugal forces and mechanical stress.
Therefore, modern wear protection must combine:
- Thin protective layers
- Direct application on high-strength steels
- Low heat input
- Optimized hard phase distribution
This is where D-Plate delivers clear advantages.
D-Plate – Optimized 2-layer wear plate concept
D-Plate is a two-component composite:
-
High-strength steel substrate
-
Engineered hardfacing layer with controlled carbide/boride microstructure
Key advantages:
Fine hard-phase distribution
Hard phase spacing is smaller than the abrasive particle size, preventing matrix erosion and significantly improving resistance to fine-particle wear.
Low weight – ideal for fast-rotating rotors
D-Plate enables thinner protection without additional backing plates, reducing inertia and improving fan dynamics.
Preserved base material properties
Low-energy welding processes minimize dilution and heat-affected zones, allowing the base steel to retain its mechanical strength.
Design and maintenance flexibility
D-Plate can be formed, welded and locally replaced, suitable for both new fans and refurbishment projects.
Typical applications
- Blade leading edges
- Blade surfaces exposed to particle flow
- Impeller backplates and shrouds
- High-velocity zones identified by CFD analysis
Conclusion
D-Plate is more than a wear plate – it is a system solution for high-performance industrial fans, combining:
- Superior wear resistance against fine abrasives
- Lightweight construction
- Extended service life
- Reduced total cost of ownership