Wearing parts may not be the sexiest subject in the world but farmers spend a small fortune on replacing tines, points, shims, mouldboards, coulters and everything else that comes into contact with soil.  

So it was probably no surprise that a small throng had gathered in front of the Tenmat stand, where the company was showing off its Ferobide material. Ferobide has been around for a couple of years in other industries but has now made its way into agriculture.

See also: Tougher-than-tungsten material could reduce kit wear

It’s claimed to be a much tougher alternative to traditional tungsten carbide and can be used with standard farm-scale welding methods. It also offers good resistance to chipping – something that traditional tungsten carbide is prone to suffering from.

Ferobide tiles can be readily welded in position on wearing surfaces and the material can also be cut with standard cutting wheels and welded joints are said to be much stronger than brazed ones.

It can also be easily scored with a slitting wheel and, with a clean hammer blow, can be sheared along the score-line while held in a vice.

It’s easier to work with than tungsten carbide too, says the company’s Stewart Peckitt, as you don’t have to warm up the material and braze it on. Now, you can just weld it on.

It’s not cheap, though. Tiles come in three sizes: 25mm x 40mm, 25mm x 15mm and 40mm x 40mm. All are 4mm thick. Price is £8.71 a tile.