Simultaneous Corrosion and Abrasion Measurements Under Grinding Conditions

The contribution of corrosion to the abrasive-corrosive wear of high-carbon, low-alloy steel (HCLA), commonly used for grinding balls, was evaluated in 15% quartz slurries. Results were compared with similar results for mild steel. The magnitude of the synergistic effect of corrosion and abrasion was determined for various conditions of applied load, hardness, and pH. Measurements were made using a specially constructed rotating cylinder-anvil apparatus. The synergistic effect is considerable, even if the corrosion component of the wear is small. The macroremoval of metal particles, producing the synergistic effect, may be considered to result from the initiation and propagation of pitting and/or microcracks assisted by anodic corrosion. Corrosion of HCLA steel increased with higher load and lower pH. The magnitude of the corrosive-abrasive wear is determined essentially by pure abrasion and the synergistic effect.