Materials technology plays an important role in keeping the world’s slurry pumps up and running. As the component that puts the energy into the slurry flow, the slurry pump has some of the highest wear rates in the mineral processing industry, so the ability to know how to select the proper materials and design the best materials for slurry flow applications is an important function. This is the purpose and function of KSB’s state-of-the-art materials R&D lab.

This metallurgical lab is loaded with sophisticated technology for developing, observing and testing new materials. The coreless induction melting system – featuring three separate melting furnaces – means faster, more efficient alloy development at greater capacity. With this equipment in place, the lab can run multiple experiments on materials with tight control over chemical composition and thermal conditions (eg pour temperature). It can also mimic manufacturing conditions – reducing the transition time from R&D to production.

Complemented by the latest technologies – tools such as electron microscopes and multiple PC clusters for doing CFD calculations, plus advancements in 3D printing – and additional hydraulic pump design input, the lab enables KSB to remain at the forefront of slurry pump design and developments.

To learn more about this unique expertise and the future of slurry pump design, watch the full interview above with Robert Visintainer, VP Engineering and R&D, GIW Industries; Harry Tian, Director of Metallurgy and Materials R&D, GIW Industries; and Jonathan Samuel, VP Sales & Marketing, KSB Mining/President, GIW Industries.