Development of a prototype abrasive wear tester for tillage tool materials

Abstract

Tillage tools subjected to low stress abrasive wear usually made of carbon or low-alloy steels. Since their abrasive wear resistance is dependent on the tribological system, it depends not only on the intrinsic conditions of the material, but also on the soil conditions. The influential factors are: the chemical composition, production history, mechanical properties and microstructure of material; the particle shape, size, the soil strength, density and moisture, and rock and gravel content; the relative velocity and impact angle between soil and the tool. Thus, there is no simple relationship between the abrasive wear resistance and the common mechanical properties. For the same reason, the ASTM dry sand/rubber wheel test, the most commonly used test for abrasive wear, is not entirely satisfactory for determining the abrasive wear characteristics experienced by tillage tools. The objective of this project was to develop a prototype tester to simulate the real tillage wear under controlled conditions. The soil characteristics can be varied and controlled. Also, the relative motion between the tillage sample and the soil can be controlled and adjusted. The relative abrasive wear of the commercial tillage tool materials can be tested and ranked by using this tester. Preliminary results from the initial trials show that the prototype abrasive wear tester design gives good results.