The Metalock Process

- is a repair system based on fundamental engineering principles

It is often provided as an emergency service throughout the marine & industrial world.

General Metal Stitching Procedure

• The fracture, after a survey and report has been presented to the customer, is positioned, realigned, and firmly held together by special fixtures and clamps.
• By the use of special Jigs, groups of holes are drilled across the line of fracture to the tool depth of the casting.
• The Metalock Key is a multi-dumbbell shaped section of highly ductile alloy, the size and length being selected to suit the type of the fracture.
• The holes are then joined by the use of pneumatic chisels to conform to the shape of the Metalock Keys.
• Individual layers of Keys are inserted in the apertures and peened into a metal-to-metal condition, which becomes almost integral with the parent metal.
• Holes are then drilled along the line of the fracture, then tapped,
• Then filled with studs.
• Each stud bites into its predecessor, resulting in a pressure-tight joint and restoring rigidity to the casting.
• A Metalock stud is an important aspect of the Metalock process, bearing in mind that pressure repairs are often required.
• The studs are then run down until the heads shear, any remaining rough metal being removed by pneumatic chisels.
• The whole repair then receives treatment from hand grinders.
• Then a final coat of paint.

Example of locks / repair to a housing

• A pressure tight seal can be achieved due to the interlocking between Metalock keys and studding.
• New and stronger materials are being developed all the time and only supplied to M.I.A. members.
• The Metalock repair process is used successfully and recognised by the Classification Societies.
• Used extensively in the marine industry, rail and other transportation, industrial and power plants etc., and heritage structures.

This unique Metalock process originated in the oil fields of Texas in the 1930s and is now recognised and used throughout the world.

Please Contact Us to find out if the process can help you.