Effect of fracture toughness on abrasive wear resistance of steels

Various abrasive wear mechanisms were reviewed and an abrasive wear modeling experiment is assessed. Abrasive wear resistance of non-heat treated and heat treated steels has been determined by using a pin-abrasion machine with five abrasive papers, which grinds on a small pin of test materials. The mass loss of test material during abrasive wear was determined gravimetrically. A correlation between abrasive wear resistance and Mode II fracture toughness of materials was established. The effect of fracture toughness on abrasive wear resistance of steels was outlined.     

Vibrational analyses of glass-reinforced polyester composite plates reinforced by a minimum mass central stiffener

Thin plates are extensively used in many fields of engineering, from ship superstructures, to the high technology of the modern aerospace industries. Flat plates which are incorporated into certain types of these structures have to be stiffened when the breadth/thickness ratio of the plate exceeds certain limits. In some structures, the addition of stiffeners to the plate would introduce a weight penalty. Consequently, it would be advantageous to keep the total mass of the plate constant by taking a thin uniform layer of constant thickness from the plate and forming it into one or several stiffeners. This would result in a considerable increase in the natural frequencies of the plate structure and a reduction of its vibration amplitudes whilst retaining the same mass of the plate system. Top-hat and rectangular stiffeners with different cross-sectional configurations have been investigated in order to increase the structural dynamic efficiency of these plates. The variables of the cross-section of the stiffeners were width and thickness but the mass of these stiffeners was kept constant.     

Effect of stress on abrasive and erosive wear of steels and sprayed coatings

The effect of stress on abrasive and erosive wear was studied for the hypoeutectoid steel, two hypereutectoid tool steels and flame sprayed coatings. In the experiment, the specially designed tester as well as SEM and contact profilometer were applied. Abrasion and erosion remove asperities protruding from the surface of coatings. The imposed stress increased erosive wear of coatings. Application of compressive stress to steels reduces roughness of the wear scar. Compressive stress caused distinct damage localization in abraded and eroded coatings, mean spacing of surface irregularities Rsm observed in erosion test was about 50% larger than in unstressed coatings. Results of fractal analysis confirm stress-induced change in surface topography.     

Mechanical and abrasive wear characterization of bidirectional and chopped E-glass fiber reinforced composite materials

Bi-directional and chopped E-glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites are fabricated in five different (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35) wt% in an epoxy resin matrix. The mechanical characterization of these composites is performed. The three body abrasive wear behavior of fabricated composites has been assessed under different operating conditions. Abrasive wear characteristics of these composites are successfully analysed using Taguchi’s experimental design scheme and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results obtained from these experiments are also validated against existing microscopic models of Ratner-Lancaster and Wang. It is observed that quite good linear relationships is held between specific wear rate and reciprocal of ultimate strength and strain at tensile fracture of these composites which is an indicative that the experimental results are in fair agreement with these existing models. Out of all composites fabricated it is found that tensile strength of bi-directional E-glass fiber reinforced composites increases because of interface strength enhancement. Chopped glass fiber reinforced composites are observed to perform better than bi-directional glass fiber reinforced composites under abrasive wear situations. The morphology of worn composite specimens has been examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to understand about dominant wear mechanisms.     

Structure and abrasive wear resistance of R6M5 steel-tungsten carbide composite coatings

Features of the structure formation, composition, and abrasive wear resistance of R6M5 steel-tungsten carbide (R6M5-WC) composite coatings have been studied as dependent on the WC content. The introduction of ～20 wt % WC into the hardening composition leads to an increase in the fraction of M₆C carbide (in the form of eutectic inclusions with average size ～5.9 μm at grain boundaries and dispersed ～0.25 μm particles in the volume of grains), while a large proportion of metastable austenite (～88 vol %) is still retained. The R6M5-WC coatings exhibit high abrasive wear resistance, which is ensured by the γ → α′ martensite transformation during friction and a muiltimodal size distribution of hardening particles.     

Influence of fibre orientation on three-body abrasive wear behaviour of unidirectional carbon fibre-reinforced polyetherimide composite

Three-body abrasive wear behaviour of neat polyetherimide (PEI) and unidirectional carbon fibre-reinforced PEI (CF/PEI) has been studied using a rubber wheel abrasion test rig. The abrasive wear studies were carried out at different loads (5–20 N) at a constant sliding velocity (v = 2.4 m/s) of rubber wheel. The influence of fibre orientation, i.e. parallel (P-fibre orientation) and anti-parallel (AP-fibre orientation) on wear rate of CF/PEI composite has also been studied. The results showed that the fibre orientation has a significant influence on the three-body abrasive wear behaviour of CF/PEI. The abrasive wear rate was higher when fibres are oriented at anti-parallel than that of parallel orientation of fibres. The worn surfaces have been observed using scanning electron microscope to understand the possible wear mechanisms involved during material removal processes.     

Mechanical and three-body abrasive wear behaviour of three-dimensional glass fabric reinforced vinyl ester composite

The mechanical and three-body abrasive wear behaviour of two- and three-dimensional E-glass woven fabric reinforced vinyl ester composites were studied in this article. The mechanical properties were evaluated using universal testing machine as per ASTM D-638. Three-body abrasive wear tests were conducted using rubber wheel abrasion tester (RWAT) under different abrading distances at two loads, wherein the wear volume loss were found to increase and that of specific wear rate decrease. The results indicate that the three-dimensional glass woven fabrics in vinyl ester (G_3D–V) have significant influence on wear under varied abrading distance/loads. Further, it was found that G_3D–V composite exhibited lower wear rate compared to two-dimensional glass woven fabric reinforced vinyl ester (G_2D–V) composite. The worn surface features, as examined through scanning electron microscope (SEM), show ruptured glass fiber in G_2D–V composite compared to G_3D–V composites.     

Effect of abrasive wear on the tensile strength of steel wire rope

Known amounts of external abrasive wear were introduced into a new 6-strand steel wire rope and the effects of this wear on the tensile strength of the rope examined against the rope discard criteria for wear stated in ISO 4309: 1990 and other selected international standards. The variations of strength with degree of wear in the test rope were compared with continuous observations on two haulage ropes which were in service under abrasive wear conditions up to the stage of failure. The results point to a need for greater caution in applying available discard criteria for wear. The results also indicate the existence of two different rapid strength deterioration regimes in strand wire rope under increasing amounts of external abrasive wear and they direct towards test parameter levels which signal the onset of these regimes.     

Effect of aging on the abrasive wear properties of AlMgSi1 alloy

In this paper, the wear performance of the aged AlMgSi1 alloy was investigated. Great improvements in mechanical properties of Al alloys can be achieved by suitable solution treatment and aging operations. A pin-on-disk wear machine was designed and developed for abrasive wear tests. The wear resistance was evaluated using a pin-on-disk wear testing method with a SiC abrasive paper counterface. The variation of wear volume is presented as a function of applied normal load, abrasive grit size and sliding distance for running speed. Mass losses were measured within a load range of 6.45–11 N, a sliding velocity range of 0.078–0.338 m/s and abrasive grit size of 5–30 μm. The effects of different sliding speeds and loads on wear resistance and surface roughness were also examined. It was measured amounts of mass loss and examined worn surfaces. Metal microscope was used to study the microstructures of the wear scars. Natural aged specimen observed maximum wear resistance.     

Microscale wear of vitrified abrasive materials

The study of bonding hard materials such as aluminium oxide and cubic boron nitride (cBN) and the nature of interfacial cohesion between these materials and glass is very important from the perspective of high precision grinding. Vitrified grinding wheels are typically used to remove large volumes of metal and to produce components with very high tolerances. It is expected that the same grinding wheel be used for both rough and finish machining operations. Therefore, the grinding wheel, and in particular its bonding system, is expected to react differently to a variety of machining operations. In order to maintain the integrity of the grinding wheel, the bonding system that is used to hold abrasive grains in place will react differently to forces that are placed on individual bonding bridges. This paper examines the role of vitrification heat treatment on the development of strength between abrasive grains and bonding bridges, and the nature of fracture and wear in vitrified grinding wheels that are used for precision grinding applications.     

The abrasive wear of borosilicate glass

The abrasive wear of borosilicate glass was studied. Under dry wear conditions, the weight loss of borosilicate glass was not found to be a linear function of the sliding distance. The debris from the worn glass areas was observed to consist of glass particles, silicon carbide particles from the abrasive wheel and agglomerates of glass and silicon carbide. This showed that the wear of borosilicate glass by silicon carbide wheels is mainly abrasive but also adhessive to a lesser degree.     

Effect of organoclay addition on the two-body abrasive wear characteristics of polyamide 6 nanocomposites

Polymer clay nanocomposites (PCN) exhibit improved mechanical properties due to nanolevel dispersion of clay in the polymer matrix. They also exhibit good tribological performance under dry sliding conditions. Abrasive wear behaviour of these materials would be different from dry sliding behaviour as the mechanisms of the both are entirely different. Hence the abrasive wear behaviour of these materials needs to be investigated. The abrasive wear characteristics of polyamide 6 nanocomposites, with 1, 3 and 5% (wt.) clay prepared by melt intercalation technique, under two-body abrasive wear conditions have been reported. Abrasive wear tests were conducted using a pin-on-disc tribometer containing an abrasive counterface. All the polyamide nanocomposites investigated exhibited a low abrasive wear resistance compared with pristine Nylon. The wear performance of the nanocomposites was correlated with the mechanical properties. Dominant ploughing and cutting wear were observed in polymer clay nanocomposites. The amount of clay present alters the wear mechanism.     

Erosive and abrasive wear resistance of overlay coatings

In the paper, the erosion and abrasion resistance of PTA, TIG and flame deposited coatings was investigated. Hardness of coatings has almost no effect on erosion resistance and incubation period. Microstructure of coatings has significant effect on erosive wear of coatings. No significant correlation was found between results of abrasive and erosive tests. Statistically significant correlation was found between erosive wear intensities determined in tests carried out at similar angles, the total content of B and C correlates with mass loss in abrasion test and erosive wear intensity at normal incidence. Laboratory tests with model abrasives cannot be used as a guide for material selection in industry.     

Microstructure and abrasive wear study of (Ti,W)C-reinforced high-manganese austenitic steel matrix composite

A high-manganese austenitic steel matrix composite (Fe-1.42%C-16.02%Mn-0.447%Si-0.288%Al-0.34%Cr-0.028%S-0.25%P-3.02%Ti-3.0%W, all in wt.%) reinforced with in-situ (Ti,W)C was synthesized by conventional melting and casting route. It has been found that the concentration of Ti decreases whereas the concentration of tungsten increases from core to the periphery of the (Ti,W)C particulates. The abrasive wear resistance of as-cast (Ti,W)C-reinforced composite is better than that of the as-cast high-manganese austenitic steel matrix material.     

Effect of fiber surface treatments on mechanical and abrasive wear performance of polylactide/jute composites

The main focus of this work is to improve the adhesion of jute fiber with polylactide (PLA). For this purpose, surface of the jute fiber was modified by alkali, permanganate, peroxide and silane treatments. The surface modified fibers were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. Unidirectional composites were prepared with treated jute fibers and PLA matrix by hot pressing of solvent impregnated prepregs. Surface treatments resulted in enhancement of tensile and flexural properties and reduction in Izod impact strength. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results showed that, treated composites have higher storage modulus and lower tangent delta with respect to untreated composite. The degree of interfacial adhesion between the jute fiber and PLA was estimated using adhesion parameter obtained through DMA data. The results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed a higher thermal stability for silane treated composites. Experimental results on abrasive wear tests revealed that the wear resistance of composite is sensitive to fiber/matrix adhesion.     

The abrasive wear of short fibre composites

The wear rate and the friction coefficient of short fibre composites (carbon fibre- or glass fibre-reinforced plastics) made by injection moulding are measured and the microstructures are examined by scanning electron microscopy. The wear rate is found to be a function of abrasive particle size and the fibre orientation with respect to the sliding direction. The friction coefficient varies with abrasive particle size due to a ploughing action. The evidence of the lateral flaking mechanism due to the crack generation/propagation effect is presented. A new, theoretical wear equation is derived from the combination of flaking theory and fracture mechanics concepts which is an extension of two previous semi-empirical expressions.     

Study on three-body abrasive wear behavior of functionally graded Al/TiB2 composite using response surface methodology

Functionally graded LM13 Al/10?wt% TiB₂ metal matrix composite has successfully produced under centrifugal casting. Hollow cylindrical composite with dimensions 150?×?150?×?15?mm was produced under rotating centrifugal speed of 1100?rpm. Microstructural characteristics were studied on the composite surfaces at distance of 1, 5.5, and 10?mm from outer periphery of the casting, and the results revealed that surface at distance of 1?mm has presence of more reinforcement particles. An objective of this study was to characterize abrasion wear behavior at the composite surfaces using dry abrasion tester. Mathematical models were developed using response surface methodology to study the relationship of parameters such as load, speed, and distance from outer periphery with abrasion wear rate. Face centered Central Composite Design with 20 experiments was preferred for dry abrasion test. Adequacy of model was predicted through analysis of variance, and the significance test result shows that load has major impact on the wear rate. The optimized parametric condition to obtain minimum wear rate was found as load of 33?N, speed of 112?rpm, and distance of 1?mm from outer periphery. Scanning electron microscopy analysis done at worn out surface showed maximum wear resistance at the outer periphery.     

Dynamical simulation of an abrasive wear process

A dynamic computer model was developed to simulate wear behavior of materials on micro-scales. In this model, a material system is discretized and mapped onto a lattice or grid. Each lattice site represents a small volume of the material. During a wear process, a lattice site may move under the influence of external force and the interaction between the site and its adjacent sites. The site–site interaction is a function of mechanical properties of the material such as the elastic modulus, yield strength, work hardening and the fracture strain. Newton's law of motion is used to determine the movement of lattice sites during a wear process. The strain between a pair of sites is recoverable if it is within the elastic deformation range; otherwise plastic deformation takes place. A bond between two adjacent sites is broken when its strain exceeds a critical value. A site or a cluster of sites is worn away if all bonds connecting the site or the cluster to its nearest neighbors are broken. The model well describes the strain distribution in a contact region, in consistence with a finite element analysis. This model was applied to several metallic materials abraded under the ASTM G65 abrasion condition, and the results were compared to experimental observations. Good agreement between the modeling and the experiment was found. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.