Material selection for high-speed rock wool centrifuges
Only with a solid and robust foundation can new heights be reached. We deeply understood this principle during the development of the Zhuoying 187 series high-speed centrifuges. Therefore, before discussing any processing techniques, let's briefly discuss a starting point—material selection.
Rock wool centrifuges differ from centrifuges in other industries, characterized by high temperature, high speed, and low tolerance for error. To ensure product quality and stability, a solid foundation in materials is essential. The selection of materials for each centrifuge component is primarily based on its operating conditions, load, and measures to prevent component failure. Operating conditions refer to the environmental characteristics, operating temperature, and degree of friction and wear. The influence of operating temperature on material selection requires consideration of two factors: firstly, the linear expansion coefficients of the materials of the mating components must not differ too much to avoid excessive thermal stress or loosening of the fit during temperature changes; secondly, the changes in the mechanical properties of the material with temperature must be considered. This is especially true under the high-temperature operating conditions of rock wool centrifuges. For components operating under sliding friction, to improve surface hardness and enhance wear resistance, suitable surface-treated steels such as quenched steel, carburized steel, and nitrided steel should be selected, or materials with good friction-reducing and wear-resistant properties should be chosen.
Load conditions refer to the magnitude and nature of the load and stress, primarily considering the centrifuge's state under extreme operating conditions. Brittle materials are generally only suitable for manufacturing parts operating under static loads; in cases of some impact, ductile materials must be used as the primary material; for parts subjected to significant contact stress, surface-treated materials such as surface-hardened steel should be selected; for parts subjected to alternating stress, fatigue-resistant materials should be chosen; for parts subjected to impact loads, materials with high impact toughness should be selected; for parts whose dimensions depend on strength, and for which size and mass are limited, high-strength materials should be selected; for parts whose dimensions depend on stiffness, materials with a high modulus of elasticity should be chosen. This requires comparing the data of the centrifuge and the material specifications to make the optimal choice.
On the other hand, considering that the properties of metallic materials can generally be improved through heat treatment, it is essential to fully utilize heat treatment to maximize the material's potential. For the most commonly used quenched and tempered steel, different tempering temperatures result in blanks with varying mechanical properties. Higher tempering temperatures lead to lower hardness and strength, but better plasticity. Therefore, when selecting material types, heat treatment specifications should be stipulated and noted on the drawings. Suppliers should also be required to adhere to the same standards to ensure consistent product quality.
High-quality materials form the foundation of a work of art. But from the raw material to the finished product, a series of meticulous and refined processes are required. Zhuoying, bearing its mission, forges ahead with unwavering determination.
