4 Things To Never Do With QT-PLUS
When JADCO first developed QT-PLUS ® in 1980, there were three (3) primary goals.
- It had to have the same hardness from top to bottom, called through-hardness.
- It had to be easy to weld using the correct alloys.
- You had to be able to form it into shape without cracking.
We have continued to refine QT-PLUS another four times over the past 43 years, to remain the industry leader in wear resistant steel performance.
While the published literature from other competitor’s wear plate may tell you it is okay to use these methods with their materials;
NEVER DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING FOUR THINGS WHEN USING JADCO QT-PLUS
1. NEVER ATTEMPT TO CREATE HOLES IN QT-PLUS USING A PUNCH PRESS
Here you see the remains of a shattered punch after a fabricator tried to save time by punching holes in QT-Plus ®, rather than drilling them. Luckily no one was injured, but it certainly can occur if you attempt to punch or shear QT-Plus .
At 500 BHN, it is dangerous to attempt to punch or shear QT-PLUS. Plasma cutting will make a hole the fastest. For more accurate hole locations, you can readily drill and even tap holes by first annealing the plate in the required locations. You do this by marking the hole positions, then heating those spots until the steel shows orange hot on both sides. Do not heat the entire piece. Allow the steel to cool to room temperature before drilling, and tapping if needed.
2. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CUT QT-PLUS USING A SAW.
One loyal customer was invited to visit a fabricator who had been trying to win his business for some time. He brought along a piece of QT-PLUS to see how he would work with it. The customer said, “This is very hard steel wear plate, can you plasma cut this to size for me?” The fabricator intended to show how he was smarter than the customer. The fabricator said, “My bandsaw can take care of this easily. I just put on a new blade, watch this.”
It did cut straight for about 3”, when the cut began to curve off track to the right. This was caused when the rake, or offset on the teeth, were knocked off trying to cut through QT-PLUS. Embarrassed, he finally did cut it to the proper size with a plasma torch. He didn’t earn their business.
3. DO NOT USE QT-PLUS IN APPLICATIONS OVER 450° F.
Every quenched and tempered steel (where QT-PLUS gets its name) is reheated after hardening. The steel is brought up to a specific ‘tempering point’ and held there for a precise amount of time. This makes the steel tougher and less brittle.
While this specific temperature may vary slightly for each steel, most of them are going to be around 450°F.
Using QT-PLUS or any other heat-treated steel, in applications with higher heat; will result in the steel losing its hardness. This results in accelerated wear. Contact JADCO for recommendations to get the longest possible wear life with your high temperature applications.
4. NEVER LIFT QT-PLUS WITH MAGNETS.
We see this error mostly in the recycling industry, where they use electro-magnets in their daily business. The additional Nickel, Chrome, Moly and other alloys, make QT-PLUS highly susceptible to magnetic fields. Which makes it difficult to weld.
Recycling people are initially confused when they encounter this effect, because they have unloaded mild steel plates and tubing for years, without any issues. Mild steel does not contain any of the alloying elements, which make QT-PLUS such an effective wear resistant steel. As a result, mild steel is not magnetic after a short period of time.
Heat treating steel containing high levels of Nickel Chromium and Molybdenum; make the steel wear plate hard through-out the thickness of the steel. It is also these same alloying elements which can become very magnetic when lifted with an electromagnet.
JADCO’s QT PLUS DELIVERS GREATER PERFORMANCE IN YOUR WEAR APPLICATIONS THAN THE VARIOUS AR400 STEEL OR OTHER WEAR PLATES YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY USED.
Being able to create wear resistant steel having the same hardness through the entire thickness of the steel, demands you accurately control the alloying chemistry with precise heat treating.
Doesn’t Every Steel Company Make Their Wear Plate Last As Long As JADCO QT Plus?
The quick answer is No; although the attention to detail required at the steel mill in Pennsylvania is available to anyone. Yet most wear plate distributors choose to reduce the proper quantities and percentages of these essential alloying elements, to get a lower selling price. When you have to cut back on these critical alloys, wear life always suffers.
For over the last 42+ years JADCO has focused exclusively on delivering consistent, longer equipment life for our customers.
Now you understand why we are able to deliver better results to our customers. We think differently by strictly focusing to improve your current results.
Allow us to help you today by calling (724) 452-5252, or email info@jadcomfg.com.
We will schedule a meeting with one of our local wear plate specialists at a time that best fits your schedule.
Remember, the only thing you have to lose by not working with JADCO, are your profits.
When your standard wear plate gives out, be certain to give JADCO a shout! (724) 452-5252.
