Herman Burger, Madeleine du Toit and Corney van Rooyen
A high-standard technical paper, titled ‘Laser metal deposition microstructure of modified low-C martensitic stainless steel’, has secured two Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) metallurgists and a University of Pretoria (UP) professor the prestigious Harvey Shacklock Gold Medal Award.
The Southern African Institute of Welding- (SAIW-) administered accolade, deemed the highest in the South African welding industry in terms of research and development, was awarded to lead authors Corney van Rooyen and Herman Burger from the CSIR, as well as another co-author UP professor Madeleine du Toit.
The paper described work done in collaboration with the CSIR’s industry partner ArcelorMittal, of which aspects have subsequently been licensed to FW Gartner, in the US, and Swedish metal powder manufacturer, Höganäs AB.
The trio outlined a laser welding process to replace the traditional welding typically used to refurbish the rolls used in steelmaking, which were subjected to a harsh operating environment, to extend their lifetime.
The laser welding was combined with a specially developed alloy that produced a microstructure and alloy composition with much-improved wear and corrosion properties.
In 2008, Du Toit received the award for a paper, titled ‘Failure of type 1.4003 ferritic stainless steel welds due to intergranular stress corrosion cracking and pitting in the heat-affected zone’.
The award, which is only given if and when technical papers of very high standard are presented, was established in memory of Harvey Shacklock's contribution to the welding industry and was first presented in 1949.