Update: Originally posted in 2022, this blog was updated with new context on 27/02/2024.

Wear and tear are familiar concepts. But the mechanisms of action underlying these phenomena can be surprisingly complex. Wear is defined as the loss of material from a solid’s surface due to mechanical action exerted by some other solid. It is such a universal process that only organic materials are immune since they can self-replicate and essentially restore surface fatigue. Therefore, every branch of materials science must contend with one or more different wear mechanisms.

Visit International Syalons at Ceramics UK, 29th/30th June 2022, NEC, Birmingham, UK. Booth: 18-532

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International Syalons are proud to announce their commitment towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 through membership of the BCC lead “British Ceramics: Towards Net Zero” sector initiative. 

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International Syalons are delighted to receive two prizes at the British Ceramic Confederation health and safety Pledge conference and awards event in Stoke-on-Trent on 14th October 2021.

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Advanced ceramic applications are far-reaching, constantly evolving, and continue to drive innovation in engineering and technology. Different types of advanced ceramics each have specific characteristics, offering a high-performance, economical alternative to traditional materials such as metals, glass, and plastics.

Effective manufacturing of finished aluminium products or aluminium castings relies on efficient transferring of large amounts of liquid and solid metal. However, within even the biggest foundries and cast houses there are often instances where operators need to focus on smaller quantities of molten metal and the means of transferring it efficiently and safely.

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Aluminium is an extremely versatile metal with a wealth of applications in a variety of domains, made possible thanks to a range of specialist and technical foundry products that enable them. It is one of the most broadly used metals, second only to iron. This is largely due to its low melting point, malleability at room temperature, and its low density. Aluminium is corrosion resistant and is a good conductor of both electricity and heat.

Light metals are those which have a relatively low density. Some of the most commonly used light metals are aluminium, titanium, and magnesium.

As industries across the globe require increasingly high product performance, molten metal quality is becoming more and more important. Aluminium is the second-most consumed metal across the globe and the market produces more than 50 million tons of aluminium every year.

Foundry operations are inherently dangerous. The production of metal castings is associated with numerous health hazards, including exposure to chemicals, gases, heat, and non-ionizing radiation. It is not uncommon for iron and steel workers to be chronically exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), respirable silica, or carbon monoxide (CO). Beyond exposure issues, there are also concerns surrounding molten metal/water explosions and catastrophic component failure due to corrosion, thermal strain, or wear.

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