Materials selection to excavator teeth in mining industry

摘要

Hard alloys are normally used as materials for excavators teeth in mining industry. In most cases these alloys do not have enough anti-wear properties and coatings are employed as a good alternative. The objective of this work is to test the abrasive wear resistance of several cast irons alloyed with different elements. Laboratory tests based on the ASTM G105-89 standard were compared to tests carried out under real working conditions of excavator teeth in mines. The experimental results show an acceptable correspondence between laboratory and field tests. To complete the laboratory research, hardness and microhardness measurements and optical micrographs were performed to identify the mechanism of wear. As a result of the experimental work, an economic evaluation of materials was also performed.