Tribological behavior of sugar mill roller shaft in laboratory simulated conditions

Wear is often observed on top roll shaft journal surface. Sugar mill roller shafts are made up of carbon steel EN8. The friction and wear behavior of carbon steel EN8 was investigated under dry, lubricated, and contaminated sliding conditions. Sugar cane juice, bagasse, and water were used to simulate the contaminated service conditions. A reciprocating pin on disk tester was used to carry out friction and wear tests. EN8 was flat surface whereas E52100 bearing ball was counterface. The friction characteristics were examined at a constant applied load and sliding speed. It was observed that the coefficient of friction and wear volume increased when the shaft material was slid in contaminated test conditions. The volumetric wear was determined to analyze the wear resistance of the shaft material in the extreme service environment. Optical and scanning electron microscopy study showed sever wear in dry and contaminated test conditions. It was observed that the cracks initiated on the surface are consequences from the tribological phenomenon at the sliding interface.