Spalling is the process of flakes separating from a larger material due to aging, corrosion, friction, or impact. Mechanical spalling occurs in machinery, while concrete and brick spalling occur in construction. Repairs can be made to some forms of spall damage, but replacement is necessary for others.
Also known simply as spalling, spalling is a term used to describe the process that occurs when flakes are separated from a larger body type of material. Separation can be caused by many different factors, including the natural aging process, corrosion, continued friction, or a direct impact with another object. Many materials used in machinery are subject to some degree of chipping, as are many types of building materials.
One of the most common types of this type of business is known as mechanical spalling. Friction and direct impact with other components of a machine often cause small metal chips to be created. An excellent example of mechanical spalling is the friction a ball bearing experiences when a machine is in active use. The constant friction and impact with other bearings help create the small spots, gradually wearing down the bearings until they need to be replaced.
In terms of spalling activity related to building materials, concrete and brick spalling are two of the most common examples. With both materials, exposure to varying temperatures, rain, snow, sleet, and other weather conditions gradually wear away at the surface of the construction, producing flakes in the process. Both brick and concrete splinter in virtually any climate, although the rate of flaking is accelerated in areas where the weather is especially severe for most of the calendar year.
With some forms of spall activity, the damage can be repaired. This is especially true with concrete. The concrete chip repair process usually involves adding a new face to the concrete, effectively replacing what has been worn over time. A similar approach to chipped concrete repair can be used to repair bricks that have been worn away by the action of peeling.
Other times, replacement is the only option when spalling has rendered the item unfit for continued use. Ball bearings are replaced from time to time, as there is no reliable method of resurfacing bearings and restoring the quality that a newly minted bearing possesses. Even metal panels that have deteriorated due to flaking may be irreparable and require replacement rather than renovation. Typically, people in charge of maintaining machinery or the exterior of buildings will know when repair can be effective and when replacement is needed.
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