Douglas Alpenstock wrote:A few more details please?
From my limited knowledge hardfacing rods are used a lot for putting layers of hard steel down on
tractor buckets. The idea is that the beads wear down instead of the
bucket, because those buckets are VERY expensive!! At my college they're actually refurbishing a relatively small one...even it would go for $10,000 canadian so they are no joke. I took some photos of the case I've got the rods in for more info.
They're 1/8" so not too big or anything. Run on AC or DC+. I used DC+ and it worked beautifully. The HRC rating is 55-60, which I just learned stands for Rockwell Hardness score. Here is a
site describing the very basics. "Crucible Industries says CPM S30V steel has an ideal hardness of 58-61 HRC and gives knifemakers the different responses to heat treatment temperatures." So that sounds good to me.
This case of 10 electrodes was $22 CAD...so not cheap but still far less than $10,000 for a new bucket! Or for me far cheaper than actually buying hardened steel to make my splitting blade. I know someone who also made a kindling splitter did this before me, but I forget who. Feel free to chime in if you're reading this, mystery welder.
Quote off the case as it's hard to read: "Recommended for the hardfacing of plow blades, excavation equipment, guide and transport rails, chisels, scrapers, bucket teeth, and kindling splitter blades. " I added the last one lol.
Top paragraph: "Electrode all positions for rebuilding steel and low alloy parts, manganese subject to abrasion, moderate impact and metal to metal wear."