Abrasive wear characteristics of selected low-alloy boron steels as measured in both field experiments and laboratory tests

This investigation compares the results of field tests of plowshares with results from a dry sand-rubber wheel laboratory abrasion test of selected low-alloy boron steels. After field test of plowshares made of selected low alloy boron steels the wear behavior of these steels has been investigated using a GOST (Russian) standard T-07 wear test equipment in which the steel samples were worn by coarse alumina particles (grit size #90). The wear of the steels was evaluated by weight loss and their wear mechanisms were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The two predominant abrasive wear mechanisms for the low-alloy steels with boron additions were micro-cutting and micro-plowing. Worn surfaces showed traces of pitting originating from the removal of larger particles. Considering both field tests and dry sand-rubber wheel tests, the highest and lowest resistance to abrasive wear occurred within the same material grades. The results obtained during the wheel-rubber wear laboratory test may be used on the basis of a comparison of abrasive wear resistance of materials with similar structure. In this case such tests can replace expensive and time consuming field tests.