An analysis of the impact of soil mass pH on the wear process of steel

The chemical properties of soil mass are among the most important factors affecting the intensity of the wear of working elements. The paper analyses the wear process of 38GSA steel, used in working elements which cut soil, depending on the corrosiveness of the chemical environment. The tests were conducted in natural soil conditions. Changes in the mass of samples depending on soil pH were measured during the tests. Based on the obtained results, it has been concluded that along with an increase in soil acidity, the steel wear intensity also increases. The highest value of wear was observed in acidic soil, followed by neutral, with the lowest value corresponding to alkaline soil