The new screen panel is constructed with a combination of Hardox blocks and alumina ceramic tiles, providing a high-impact surface and, in turn, greater wear and abrasion resistance.

The Ceradox panel was developed in 2019 at an iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Australia. Over three months of testing, the results exceeded expectations, said Multotec screening product manager Shawn Faba.

"The customer needed a panel with an extended wear life, so that they only needed to conduct replacements during the regular maintenance shutdown every 12 weeks," Faba said. "Our testing demonstrated that the panels were lasting 24 weeks and longer."

Multotec's South African and Australian teams worked in partnership with the unnamed customer to polish the product into a solution that could be proved for demanding scalper screen applications - particularly the impact area.

"The Ceradox panel must withstand the impact of material up to 300 millimetres in size, falling from a discharge height of up to three metres," he said. "It must also resist high levels of abrasion from the ore."

According to Faba, the 305mm square Ceradox panels can be manufactured to different thicknesses from 50mm to 100mm and can be delivered anywhere worldwide.