FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF ADI CHAIN INSTALLED IN THE AMATIKULU DIFFUSER REIN M, SMITH L, STRACHAN B and WIRMINGHAUS R Tongaat

Amatikulu Sugar Mill has installed Austempered Ductile Iron (ADI) block links and side plates on two diffuser chain strands. These links were cast in South Africa at a substantially lower cost than forged chain links. Some development emerged concerning the pattern, casting procedures and quality assurance required to ensure that high quality links were produced. Extensive tests were performed on the new links, including tensile and ultrasonic tests, and the cutting of cast links to inspect casting quality and procedure. Old links were also tensile-tested for comparisons. The two chain strands have been in use for one season and have proven successful. Some links were disassembled for inspection after one season and the inspection results of these links and the rest of the chain are discussed. Some other advantages of using ADI are also discussed. These advantages include lower cost, through-hardening of links, smaller chain order size and a shorter delivery time.