Rotorspitzen | VSI-Brecher-Teile | ATF

VSI Rotor Tips: High-Velocity Wear Components

Rotor tips are the primary wear elements in VSI (Vertical Shaft Impact) crushers, positioned at the outer edge of the spinning rotor where they serve as the final acceleration surface that launches feed material to high velocity, typically 60-80 m/s, before it impacts the crushing chamber wall or autogenous material bed. The kinetic energy delivered at these velocities, proportional to half the particle mass times the velocity squared, creates the inter-particle and particle-to-surface collisions that produce the cubical product shape and tight gradation curves that VSI crushers are specifically designed to achieve. Rotor tip geometry, including the face angle, radius, and thickness, directly influences material trajectory, acceleration efficiency, and the distribution of wear across the tip surface. ATF manufactures rotor tips using premium tungsten carbide (WC-Co) with 6-12% cobalt binder and optimized carbide grain sizes of 2-6 microns for maximum abrasion resistance.

The extreme velocities and abrasive conditions at the rotor tip position create the most intense wear environment in any comminution equipment, with wear rates that can consume several kilograms of material per thousand tonnes processed depending on the silica content and hardness of the feed. Material selection is therefore the most critical factor in determining operating cost per tonne. Tungsten carbide at 86-91 HRA provides maximum wear life in highly abrasive applications with silica content above 60%, with carbide tips brazed to steel backing plates using silver or copper-based brazing alloys for secure mounting and thermal expansion management. Ceramic composites (Al2O3-ZrO2) at 1600-1800 HV offer a balanced combination of performance and economy for moderately abrasive feeds. High-chrome white iron at 60-64 HRC provides a cost-effective option for less demanding applications. ATF supplies weight-matched rotor tip sets for all major VSI brands including Metso Barmac, Sandvik CV series, Terex Canica, and REMco.