Abstract
Discrete element method (DEM) is used to simulate an impeller-tumbler experimental rig designed to assess the performance of materials under impact-abrasion wear. The numerical study on wear incorporates Archard’s equation to model material loss. The simulation results of the worn profiles agree well with experiments. The study presents distribution of work of normal and tangential contact forces to describe impacts of rocks with steel specimens. Analysis on the angle of the specimen indicates that a perpendicular position (90°) shows higher wear intensity at the tip of the specimen than 60° and 30°. The upper limit of the collision energy is 19 J and obtained for the 90°. It decreases slightly for 60° and 30°. The effect of particle size is analysed by means of two ranges of particle size distribution: 50−80mm and 25−40mm; where the smaller particle size range also shows significantly lower collision energy (3 J). Discussion on impact and abrasion dominated regions is presented, showing an average incidence angle of ≈40°, with a tendency to increase from the tip of the specimens towards the centre of rotation. The work of tangential contact forces is approximately of the same order of magnitude as the normal component at the surface that is mostly exposed to rock collisions, so both impact and abrasive wear mechanisms should be considered for this testing method.
Published Version
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