Erosive Wear Characteristics of Carburized and Tempered Mild Steel Samples in Plain Soil–Water Slurry for Application in Agro–Industries

Abstract

Studies on erosive wear characteristics (in soilwater slurry) of carburized and tempered mild steel samples were carried out in a specially designed and fabricated apparatus, and the effects of tempering temperature and erosion time were determined. The objective was to provide information to the agro-industries on changes in hardness and wear properties in relation to these parameters. The studied carburization technique greatly improved the hardness (up to 67 RC) and wear resistance in the resultant carburized steel. The effectiveness of solid carburizers in improving these properties of steel decreased in the order : partially burnt charcoal, charcoal and coal. Wear resistance of carburized and tempered steel increased with rise of tempering temperature up to the range studied (150 – 2500C). Majority of the carburized and tempered steel samples exhibited an improvement in their wear resistance with increase of rotation time in the slurry, and both the severe and mild wears were found to be operative.