Mining operations refer to extraction of minerals and other non-renewable resources from the ground. These processes require the transportation of crushed rock, sand, and other abrasive suspensions in slurry compounds. These slurries are damaging to the inner linings of hose and pipe systems as well as the expansion joints in place to isolate movements. Proper selection of materials used in these applications are critical to the longevity of the components.

In most cases, Kadant Unaflex expansion joints are selected based on the pressure of the application in which the expansion joint is installed, the temperature of the media to be transferred, and the acidic or caustic properties of the media to be transferred.  Materials like EPDM, Neoprene, Viton and gum rubber are commonly used as tube polymer for expansion joint applications. While each of these materials have strengths and weaknesses, none of them are highly resistant to abrasion associated with slurry applications. The abrasive properties of slurry media wears away quickly at the polymer inside the joint greatly reducing the life of the expansion joint.  

Kadant Unaflex has recently developed and launched an expansion joint designed to withstand abrasion commonly found in the mining industry. This expansion joint referred to as the Abrasiveflex expansion joint, has a special tube material, Linatex® Linacure™, developed by the Weir Group, which has greater resistance to fine slurry abrasion than expansion joints made of other uncured rubbers. The resistance to abrasion makes these joints ideal for the mining industry.

The addition of the Abrasiveflex to Kadant Unaflex’s comprehensive line up of expansion joint products expands its abilities to provide effective solutions to its customers with tougher applications requiring properties that traditional expansion joints just cannot solve. Check out our complete line of rubber, metal bellows, PTFE, and fabric expansion joint lines at fluidhandling.kadant.com.

Companies associated with the mining industry were recently introduced to the Abrasiveflex and Kadant Unalfex during the MinExpo2021 in Las Vegas, NV.