Installed at Tavistock II Colliery, Witbank
Two chutes at Tavistock II Colliery were lined with 10mm 3CR12 when the plant was fabricated in February 1979. Weight of material used was 7032kg.
The coal passing through the chutes varies in size form 25mm dia to 500mm dia and is in a wet condition.
The plant is in operation approximately 10 hours out of 24.
The first monitoring of the prototype took place on the 20th August 1979. The thickness reading on that date read exactly 10mm on the ultrasonic gauge. In other words no wear whatsoever had occurred. A further reading was done on the 20th May 1980. It was done on that particular date because Benox liners which were installed at the same time as the 3CR12 liners were being replaced. The second reading showed a 1mm reduction in the material thickness. In other words over a period of fifteen months 1mm of wear had occurred.
On the strength of the exceptional wear qualities of the 3CR12 liners, management of Tavistock II have decided to replace further chute liners throughout the plant with 3CR12.