SELECTION OF THE MOST APPROPRIATE WELDING TECHNOLOGY FOR HARDFACING OF BUCKET TEETH

Abstract

A possibility of extending the service life of the working parts of construction machinery with particular attention to hardfacing of loader bucket teeth was investigated. In the first part of this paper the tribological processes typical for this machinery is analysed. Worn excavator parts are made of conditionally weldable cast steel that requires a special hardfacing technology, so numerous investigations were performed to obtain the most appropriate technology. In the experimental part of the paper, the selection of the optimum hardfacing technology for bucket teeth and the procedure of the manual arc hardfacing are presented. The samples were first hardfaced using different techniques and technologies and then the microstructure and microhardness of characteristic hardfaced layers were studied. Specially prepared samples were used for tribological investigations. The results of experimental investigations enabled the selection of the most suitable hardfacing technology and its application to real parts. The bucket teeth, with their hardfaced layers applied vertically, horizontally or in a honeycomb pattern were mounted onto a loader bucket, alternated with the new non-hardfaced teeth and their performance during the operation was regularly monitored. After a certain period, the degrees of the wear for the non-hardfaced and differently hardfaced teeth were measured. Taking into account both technical and economic factors, the most suitable hardfacing technology was determined.