The total wear, especially of lubricated tracks, on construction equipment, is determined by the wear between the track bushing and the tooth of the sprocket. To achieve an equal wear life for bushing and link, investigations have started to substitute the steel bushing with ceramic material. The newest material qualities of silicon nitride (Si_3N_4) were wear tested using simulated service conditions. Wear intensity was tested for different steel-ceramic pairs as well as the critical compressive rupture load of the bushing. Because of the different coefficients of elasticity for steel and ceramic, it is necessary to: (1) establish a reliable method for pressing of the assemblies; (2) guarantee functionally correct dimensioned press fit between the bushing and the link; (3) prevent additional stresses in the ceramic components by using FEM-Modelling for the press fit optimisation. The first test and calculation results are discussed.
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