Abrasive material handling
Fines handling solutions for iron ore, coke and abrasive material
Iron ore fines, coke fines and other abrasive fines wear out chutes and choke hoppers. We match liners and moisture control to how your fines behave.
Fines are harder on equipment than their size suggests. Dry fines act like sandpaper and thin a liner steadily. Wet fines pack into corners, hang up in hoppers and choke chutes.
Because the two problems need opposite answers, we start by asking how your fines behave: dry and abrasive, or wet and sticky.
Dry, abrasive fines
Dry iron ore, coke and limestone fines cause steady sliding abrasion. A hard, smooth chromium carbide overlay plate resists it and lets material slide rather than snag.
Wet, sticky fines
Wet fines stick. Low-friction UHMWPE liners help them slide, smooth Arcoplate reduces hang-up, and Super Absorbent Polymer removes the excess moisture that makes them sticky in the first place.
Matching the solution to the problem
| Wear point | What we fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Chutes carrying dry fines | Arcoplate wear plate | Hard, smooth face resists sliding abrasion |
| Hoppers where wet fines hang up | UHMWPE liners | Low friction keeps material moving |
| Stockpiles and wagons of wet ore | Super Absorbent Polymer | Takes up excess moisture at source |
| Wet fines slurry and screens | PU liners and screens | Resists wet abrasion |
| Worn edges and lips | Artha Weld hardfacing | Rebuilds and protects in place |
What you get
- Fewer chokes and hang-ups
- Longer liner life under fine abrasion
- Less manual cleaning
- Steadier feed to the next process
Abrasive material handling
Frequently asked questions
Why do iron ore fines cause chute blockages?
When fines carry moisture they become sticky and pack into corners and rough surfaces. Low-friction liners and moisture reduction with Super Absorbent Polymer both help keep them flowing.
What liner is best for coke fines?
Coke fines are highly abrasive, so a hard chromium carbide overlay plate such as Arcoplate usually lasts longest. Where the coke is hot, we specify high-temperature plate.
How do you reduce moisture in fines?
With Super Absorbent Polymer from SNF, which absorbs excess free moisture so fines handle and transport better.
Do you handle fines in cement and power plants too?
Yes. Limestone fines, raw meal, fly ash and coal fines all cause similar abrasion and flow problems, and we specify for each.
Related solutions
Tell us how your fines behave
Share the material, moisture and where it chokes or wears, and a wear engineer will recommend a solution.