- Description
Hard Surfacing vs Hard Facing Plate: Understanding the Terminology and Choosing the Right Product
In the wear protection industry, buyers often encounter terms such as hard surfacing, hard facing plate, superposition de soudure, bardage, et fusion bonded wear plate. Although these words are closely related, they do not always refer to the same product.
A common purchasing mistake happens when suppliers and buyers use the same terminology but imagine different products. Par exemple, one customer may ask for “rechargement” expecting a finished chromium carbide overlay plate, while another may mean only the welding process itself.
This guide explains the industrial meaning of these terms, their differences, and how buyers from different regions usually specify wear-resistant materials.
1. Hard Surfacing vs Hard Facing Plate: The Core Difference
| Terme | Signification | Product or Process? |
|---|---|---|
| Hard Surfacing | A general process of applying a wear-resistant alloy layer onto a metal surface | Processus / technology |
| Hard Facing Plate | A finished composite plate with a wear-resistant overlay layer bonded to a steel base | Finished product |
| Rechargement | Industrial term for creating a hard protective surface by welding or thermal spraying | Process category |
| Plaque de superposition de carbure de chrome | A specific type of hard facing plate using chromium carbide alloy overlay | Finished product |
Simply explained:
- Hard surfacing = how the wear layer is created.
- Hard facing plate = the final material you purchase and install.
2. What Does Hard Surfacing Mean?
Hard surfacing refers to any technology used to improve surface wear resistance by adding a harder material layer onto a base metal.
The base material is usually:
- Acier au carbone
- Low alloy steel
- Acier inoxydable
- Cast iron components
The deposited layer may contain:
- Carbure de chrome
- Carbure de tungstène
- Alliages à base de nickel
- Cobalt-based alloys
- Iron-based wear alloys
Hard surfacing is commonly applied to:
- Crusher teeth
- Godets miniers
- Rouleaux de broyeur
- Sièges de soupape
- Industrial components requiring repair or protection
3. What Is a Hard Facing Plate?
A hard facing plate is a factory-produced composite wear plate designed for installation as a replaceable wear liner.
Its typical structure:
| Couche | Fonction |
|---|---|
| Wear Overlay Layer | Provides high abrasion resistance, usually HRC 50-65 dureté |
| Steel Backing Plate | Fournit de la ténacité, welding ability, et soutien structurel |
The most common commercial version is the plaque de superposition de carbure de chrome (Plaque CCO), widely used in mining, ciment, acier, et industries électriques.
4. Understanding Four Common Industry Terms
4.1 Superposition de soudure
“Weld overlay” describes the manufacturing method where a wear-resistant alloy is deposited onto a steel substrate through welding.
It emphasizes the bonding process rather than the final application.
Common methods:
- Soudage à l'arc submergé (SCIE)
- Soudage à arc ouvert
- Soudage à l’arc sous gaz-métal
- Plasma Transfer Arc
4.2 Bardage
Cladding is a broader engineering term describing the bonding of one material layer onto another material.
Cladding may include:
- Weld cladding
- Liaison explosive
- Collage par rouleaux
- Revêtement laser
In some industries, “clad plate” may refer to corrosion-resistant stainless steel bonded plates rather than abrasion-resistant plates, so buyers should confirm the application.
4.3 Fusion Bonded Wear Plate
Fusion bonded wear plate refers to a wear layer metallurgically bonded to the steel substrate through melting and solidification.
The term highlights:
- Strong metallurgical connection
- Low risk of delamination
- High load-bearing capability
4.4 Rechargement
Hardfacing is the most commonly used industry spelling, especially in North America and Australia.
It generally means applying a hard alloy surface to improve wear resistance.
It can describe:
- Repair welding
- Component protection
- Wear plate production
5. Regional Purchasing Terminology Differences
| Région | Common Terms | Buyer Expectation |
|---|---|---|
| États-Unis | Hardfacing plate / Chrome carbide overlay / Plaque CCO | Usually means finished wear plate |
| Europe | Weld overlay plate / Wear resistant cladding | Focus on metallurgical bonding and standards |
| Australie | Rechargement / Chromium carbide plate | Mining industry focused terminology |
| Asie du Sud-Est | Hard facing plate / Plaque CCO | Often used for mining and cement projects |
6. Hard Facing Plate vs Wear Resistant Steel Plate
| Matériel | Caractéristique principale | Suitable Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Plaque de superposition de carbure de chrome | Dureté de surface extrêmement élevée | Abrasion par glissement sévère |
| NM400/NM500 Wear Plate | Dureté et ténacité équilibrées | Impact + abrasion |
| Plaque d'acier standard | Low cost and easy fabrication | Usure légère |
7. How Buyers Should Specify the Product
To avoid misunderstanding, buyers should provide more than just the word “rechargement”.
A complete specification should include:
- Product type: chromium carbide overlay plate or other alloy
- Épaisseur de plaque de base
- Épaisseur de superposition
- Hardness requirement
- Chemical composition requirement
- Taille de la plaque
- Application condition
8. Common Purchasing Mistakes
- Assuming all hardfacing plates have the same wear life
- Comparing only hardness without checking carbide structure
- Confusing repair hardfacing with factory overlay plates
- Ignoring base plate toughness in impact applications
- Choosing the cheapest plate without considering replacement frequency
9. Hard Facing Plate Solutions from Teda Ganghua
Teda Ganghua provides professional wear protection solutions for customers in mining, ciment, acier, production d'énergie, et les secteurs de l'industrie lourde.
Our product solutions include:
- Plaques de recouvrement en carbure de chrome
- Customized hard facing plates
- Wear liner solutions for severe abrasion environments
- Cutting and fabrication support according to project requirements
By combining material selection experience with application analysis, Teda Ganghua helps customers choose the correct wear protection solution instead of simply purchasing by price.
Learn more:
Plaque de superposition de carbure de chrome
Conclusion
Hard surfacing and hard facing plate are related but different concepts. Hard surfacing describes the technology, while hard facing plate describes the finished wear-resistant product.
For international buyers, understanding the difference between hardfacing, superposition de soudure, bardage, and chromium carbide overlay plate helps prevent specification errors and ensures the purchased material matches the actual working condition.
