Tribological investigation of tillage tools

In agricultural applications especially in soil engaging tools (e.g. goosefoot tines) severe wear is expected during operation. To determine a better performing material the first step is to identify the dominant wear mechanism on the real component. Optical 3D profilometry and microscopy of the worn surface were performed and degree of penetration from the wear scratches was calculated to verify the wear micro-mechanisms. A segment specific wear mechanism was identified and microcutting was observed to be dominant hence the ideal new candidate material has good wear resistance against micro-cutting. Lab-testing conditions were set to reproduce the same wear micromechanisms as identified from the in-field. The connection link between the micro scale testing of single-asperity, the macro scale of multi-asperity and the in-field tests was the same wear mechanism. In the lab-tests the same material ranking was confirmed regarding wear rate and the material response was investigated in detail for each wear micro-mechanism. As an outcome of the tests a tempered martensitic steel was the best performing material and was proposed for the application