Archimedes Screw Repair: Mining Facility, South Africa

4th April 2025

Industry: Mining
Location: South Africa
Application: Archimedes Screw Repair
Products: 202 Ceramic Repair Fluid

The Challenge

A large Archimedes screw used in a mineral processing facility was experiencing widespread surface degradation due to continuous exposure to abrasive slurry. The aggressive combination of erosion and corrosion was compromising performance and posed a high risk of unplanned downtime. With welding ruled out due to distortion risks, and full replacement deemed too costly, the client sought a rapid, long lasting repair method that could extend the equipment’s life without introducing heat stress.

The Solution

The component was removed from site and transferred to a controlled workshop environment for complete refurbishment. Surface preparation was carried out using mechanical grinders to ISO 8501/4 ST3 (SSPC SP3 ST3) standard, creating a clean, textured profile ideal for coating adhesion.

Two layers of 202 Ceramic Repair Fluid were applied by brush across the full screw surface, including the helical flights. Each coat was applied at 300 microns, producing a total dry film thickness of 600 microns. The high performance barrier provided protection against both mechanical wear and corrosive slurry flow.

Results & Benefits

Surface restored to resist erosion and corrosion
No distortion or structural stress from heat based repair
Off-site process ensured controlled conditions and uniform finish
Rapid repair avoided extended downtime or replacement costs
Returned to service with an extended operational lifespan
Avoid replacement costs and reducing the risk of future downtime
Eliminated the risks associated with welding and hot work
Delivered long term resistance to chemical attack in demanding slurry applications