Research progress of wear performance of scraper conveyor
Abstract
Scraper conveyors are used in many industrial and material handling applications due to their robust design, ease of use and low maintenance requirements. This article reviews the research progress of the performance of scraper conveyors with respect to wear resistance. An overview of the design parameters which affect wear is given and the principle of wear and its tests is discussed. The paper includes a description of the different types of wear materials and the advantages and disadvantages of each type. Accelerated wear tests, such as the Taber Wear Test and ASTM G99, and the studies conducted by researchers for optimizing the design of wear components for various applications are also discussed. Furthermore, this article provides a comprehensive account of the wear performance of various wear materials and the methods used for obtaining data from these wear tests.
Introduction
Scraper conveyors are one of the most popular devices used in the material handling industry. They are used for transporting bulk materials from one point to another, usually within a plant. Scraper conveyors consist of numerous parts, including a headframe, an endless chain, flights attached to the chain, and a drive mechanism. The flights are attached to the endless chain and are driven by the drive mechanism. The flights serve to move the material along the length of the conveyor. The primary advantage of the scraper conveyor is that it can transport large material loads efficiently over relatively long distances.
Despite the many advances made in the design of scraper conveyors, wear is still one of the major problems in the operation of these devices. Wear of the flights, drive mechanism, and other components is critical to the efficient operation of the scraper conveyor. Therefore, it is important to understand the causes and effects of wear, as well as ways in which it can be minimized or prevented. This article reviews the literature on the wear performance of scraper conveyors. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of the advances made in the field of wear performance of scraper conveyors and the methods used for assessing wear.
Design Parameters Which Affect Wear
The wear resistance of a scraper conveyor is determined by the design, construction and materials of the various components of the scraper conveyor. The speed, temperature, environment, and load all contribute to the wear and tear of the scraper conveyor. The speed of the conveyor affects the wear on the flights, as high speeds cause abrasion due to the particles being flung against the flights. Temperature is another important parameter, which can affect wear by altering the viscosity of the lubricant used on the conveyor, thereby affecting the strength of the moving parts. The environment affects wear in terms of extreme weather conditions such as rain, snow, debris, and the presence of acids or alkalis. The load of the material on the conveyor affects wear as the particles rub against the flights, causing abrasion.
Principle of Wear and Wear Tests
Wear is the process by which substances are removed from a surface through rubbing and/or contact with another material. The degree of wear depends on several factors, such as the speed of motion, the angle at which the particles interact, the hardness of the material and the contact area. Wear tests are used to measure the degree of wear of the different components of a scraper conveyor. The three most common wear tests are the Taber Wear Test, the ASTM G99 and the Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) Test.
The Taber Wear Test is a widely used test which measures the wear resistance of a material. In this test, an abrasive wheel is attached to the Taber abrader and the test material is loaded onto the wheel and the wheel is spun in a reciprocating motion. This test is used to measure the wear performance of the flights, drive wheels and chains of the scraper conveyor. The ASTM G99 wear test is another type of test that uses a rotating test wheel to measure the wear resistance of a material. In this test, a steel wheel and graphite block are attached to the end of a test arm, and the test material is then loaded onto the arm and rotated. This test is also used to measure the wear performance of the various components of the scraper conveyor.
The SEM test is used to measure the microstructure of a material and to evaluate its wear characteristics. In this test, a scanning electron microscope is used to observe the wear pathways of the microstructure of the material. The SEM test is used to measure the micro-wear of the components of a scraper conveyor. This test is useful in determining the type of wear that is occurring and in helping to identify problems in the design of the conveyor.
Types of Wear Materials
The type of material used for the wear components of a scraper conveyor is also important in determining its wear resistance. The two main types of wear materials are metallic and polymeric. Metallic wear materials are usually steel, stainless steel or iron, and polymeric wear materials are usually polyurethane and polyethylene. The advantages of using metallic materials are that they are strong, durable and able to withstand high temperatures and loads, while the advantages of using polymeric materials are that they are lightweight and have excellent resistance to abrasion and corrosion. Both types of materials have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to select the correct material for the specific application.
Accelerated Wear Tests
Accelerated wear tests are used to evaluate the wear performance of a material at high speeds. These tests are performed by simulating the conditions of an actual application of the scraper conveyor, such as speed, temperature and load. By subjecting the material to these conditions, the effects of wear can be observed in a much shorter period of time than a typical application. The Taber Wear Test and the ASTM G99 are two of the most widely used accelerated wear tests.
Research Progress on Wearand Optimization of Design Parameters
Researchers have conducted multiple studies to optimize the design parameters used in the scraper conveyor to improve its wear performance. Studies have been conducted on the effects of the head beam height, the length of the flight, the speed of the conveyor, and the materials used for the production of the wear components. Research has also been conducted to optimize the design of the wear components of the conveyor, such as the flights, drive wheels and chains. In one study, researchers tested the effects of varying the head beam height, the length of the flights and the speed of the conveyor. The results indicated that increasing the head beam height and the length of the flights decrease the amount of wear, while increasing the speed of the conveyor has no effect on the wear rate.
In another study, researchers tested different materials for the production of wear components, including stainless steel and polyurethane. The results indicated that stainless steel had the best wear resistance, followed by polyurethane. In yet another study, researchers conducted wear tests on various materials for the production of wear components for a scraper conveyor. The results indicated that the wear resistance of wear materials was higher when the materials were treated with thermal oxidation prior to the tests.
Conclusion
Scraper conveyors are essential components in many industrial and material handling applications. The wear performance of these devices is critical for their safe and efficient operation. This article has provided an overview of the research progress of the wear performance of these devices. An overview of the design parameters which affect wear has been given, along with a description of the three most common wear tests. The types of wear materials and the advantages and disadvantages of each type were discussed. Furthermore, studies conducted on the optimization of the design of wear components were reviewed. This review provides useful information on the wear performance of scraper conveyors and aids in understanding the types of tests used for measuring wear.
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