Abrasive wear characteristics of complex carbides overlay (CCO) in comparison to low-alloy boron steels

Abstract The aim of present study was to evaluate the abrasive wear resistance of complex carbide overlay plates in comparison to low alloy boron steels of different hardness grades. These materials are typical in mining, trasportation and crushing aplications worldwide. The abrasive wear resistance was evaluated by weight loss using a dry sand-rubber wheel laboratory abrasion test that exposed the materials to slidding abrasion. All tests were performed under dry conditions at room temperature. In order to evaluate the tribological response of the different steels and their wear mechanisms, post-characterization of the worn surfaces was performed by SEM/EDX. To better understand the wear process, microstructural SEM/EDX and microhardness analyses were performed as well. The results showed that abrasive wear performance was determined by a combination of high hardness and toughness (fracture strain). The dry sand-rubber wheel using quartz sand with 1100 HV causes severe damage in low alloy boron steels plates due to transition between cutting and plastic deformation. By applying the described methodology it was possible to establish performance comparisons and wear behavior due to individual material features according field applications.