Q. How do metallurgists design alloys to balance wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and performance across different environments?
A. At Waukesha Foundry, our metallurgists recognized the need for an alloy that could resist both galling (metal surfaces sticking or seizing) and corrosion, while also being safe for use in food processing. When leaded alloys were being phased out in the 1950s, they began experimenting with new alloying elements. Bismuth was chosen to replace lead, providing natural lubricity to reduce galling, while chromium was added to improve corrosion resistance.
Back then, metallurgists didn’t have today’s advanced computer modeling, so they relied on published phase diagrams and a lot of hands-on testing. By melting and testing numerous experimental heats, they developed WM88 — a breakthrough alloy that continues to deliver the right balance of performance across demanding environments.