KenCast Wear Protection Products

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Wear. A Small Word That Describes a Big Problem.

Wear translates to expensive equipment repair and replacement costs and can cause significant downtime.

At Kennametal, we understand the importance of preventing wear damage to your equipment. That’s why our wear experts developed KenCast. KenCast helps equipment last longer, whether you’re working above ground or underground, on the road or in the pit, crushing rock or pushing snow. With KenCast protection, you can avoid costly repairs and downtime.

KenCast wear parts are proven to withstand extreme abrasive and high-impact applications. KenCast is extremely versatile and can fit nearly any machine for nearly any application. It is easily welded or attached mechanically into position.

What is KenCast?

Lasting up to 6 x longer than standard wear solutions, KenCast is tungsten carbide particles that have been metallurgically bonded to air-hardened steel. The result? A tough, durable, and extremely wear-resistant material — thanks to the combination of steel and carbide.

How Does KenCast Work?

Carbide granules give KenCast exceptionally long-lasting protection. Various sized tungsten carbide particles are blended to create the right combination of carbide protection for a particular application.

Although KenCast built a reputation on superior wear plates and rectangular bars, it continues to provide wear solutions across challenging environments. Our customer base has grown to include applications in manufacturing, agriculture, and even NASCAR®.

Kennametal produces standard and custom shapes and geometries to solve specific problems. Our KenCast experts are looking for new challenges, and can help you with your most challenging wear issues.

Key Benefits of KenCast

Extreme versatility – Complex parts and geometries can be produced and customized to specific wear issues.
Excellent wear resistance – Lowering repair costs and downtime
Additional protection for your equipment
Easy to apply in the field.
Non-layered material

KenCast vs. Other Wear Protection Methods

Whether it's sliding, gouging, pushing, or impact, abrasive wear can add up to costly equipment repair and replacement costs. KenCast consistently outperforms other wear protection methods:

Other Methods	KenCast
Brazed-on solid carbide tiles	Tougher
Hardfacing	Longer Lasting More wear resistant Better steel protection
Standard or AR-type steels, chocky blocks, and chromium carbide plates
Embedded weld overlays

Frequently Asked Questions

Abrasion Resistant Steel

Abrasion Resistant (AR) Steel is an alloyed and heat-treated steel designed to resist surface wear from abrasion, impact, and material flow. It is commonly used to elongate equipment life in high-wear conditions.

AR500 Steel is a premium grade AR Steel with an average hardness of 500 Brinell. It is ideal for severe abrasion applications where forming is minimal.

AR500 Steel is significantly harder and more wear resistant than mild steel. Mild steel is softer, more ductile, and easier to machine but not as effective with heavy wear.

AR Steel vs. Tungsten Carbide

AR500 steel is a tough, impact-resistant alloy. However, tungsten carbide is much harder and wear resistant than AR500 but is less flexible and more brittle on its own.

Mining Wear Protection

Mining wear protection consists of materials and systems designed to protect equipment from excessive wear caused by abrasive materials. It helps reduce downtime, maintenance costs, and equipment replacement.

Tungsten Carbide Wear Plates

Tungsten carbide wear plates consist of hard tungsten carbide particles bonded to a steel backing. They offer superior abrasion and erosion resistance while maintaining its structural integrity.

Tungsten carbide is an ultra-hard compound made from tungsten and carbon. It is significantly harder than steel and provides exceptional resistance to wear, heat, and deformation.

Tungsten carbide can be used in cutting tools, mining and drilling equipment, wear plates, industrial tooling, and other components to combat extreme abrasion and impact.

Tungsten Carbide vs. Chromium Carbide

Tungsten Carbide has higher hardness and impact resistance, whereas Chromium Carbide excels in corrosion resistance and wear due to higher temperatures.

Tungsten carbide coatings can be removed via grinding, machining, or a specialized chemical or thermal process due to extreme hardness.

How Tungsten Carbide Is Made

Tungsten Carbide is made by combining tungsten and carbon powders, pressing them into shape, and sintering them at extreme temperatures. Tungsten Carbide often uses a metal binder such as Cobalt.

Tungsten is a metallic element known for its exceptional hardness, density, and the highest melting point of any metal.

Tungsten can be used for cutting tools, aerospace components, electrical contracts, heat-resistant parts, and other industrial wear solutions.