Abrasive wear effect of sugarcane juice on sugarcane rolls

Corrosion seems to be an important factor affecting the wear of sugarcane rolls. This paper shows the results of a research undertaken to evaluate the corrosive effect of sugarcane juice on carbon steel rolls. Laboratory tests were performed on a prototype that approximately reproduces the wear conditions of sugarcane rolls. Laboratory tests were performed on low carbon steel (ASTM-A36), with and without a layer of welded stainless steel. The performance of a buffer of austenitic stainless steel was quantitatively evaluated in a field test using a real roll. Field tests showed no improvement in the performance of the roll when welded with stainless steel. In laboratory tests, synergy between corrosion and abrasion was found in carbon steel. No direct comparison between the wear results on carbon and stainless steel could be done, because of the big difference in topography of the specimens in addition to the load applied during the tests. Similar abrasion mechanisms were found in carbon steel and welded stainless steel.

Research highlights▶ Corrosion increases the wear of carbon steel on sugarcane rolls. ▶ Initial surface roughness affects wear on sugarcane rolls. ▶ Similar wear mechanisms were found on carbon and stainless steel.