Experimental Investigation on Friction and Wear Behavior of the Vertical Spindle and V-belt of a Cotton Picker

Abstract

This study deals with the friction and wear behavior of the vertical spindle and V-belt to improve the reliability, operation and to extend the service life of a cotton picker. The vertical spindle made of low-carbon steel (ST3) was treated by the ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM) technique to control the friction and wear behavior. It was found that the UNSM technique reduced surface roughness and increased surface hardness of the vertical spindle. The friction and wear behavior of the vertical spindle and V-belt was assessed by carrying out tribological tests and the results showed that the UNSM-treated vertical spindle generated a higher friction coefficient compared to the untreated one due to having less slip. In case of wear resistance, unmeasurable wear occurred on the surface of the vertical spindle due to its significant high hardness compared to the hardness of the V-belt that came into contact with the vertical spindle in relative motion. Hence, the wear behavior and mechanisms of the V-belts were systematically investigated and also discussed based on the wear track profiles and micrographs. It can be concluded that the application of the UNSM technique to the vertical spindle may contribute to improve the performance of cotton pickers by reducing the slip and prolonging the service life.

Evaluation of the Thermal Stability and Surface Characteristics of Thermoplastic Polyurethane V-Belt

“…The test results show significant changes in the PU V-belt roughness after the wear process as a result of the friction heat in belt drives. The reduction in surface roughness of a V-belt after wear may be attributed to the elimination of high peaks and valleys by the introduced plastic deformation, resulting in a reduction in the number of defects [1]. Additionally, the topography surface of a new polyurethane V-belt and a PU belt after wear are shown in Figure 12.…”

“…The measured values of R a , R q and R z are given in Table 2, where R a is the arithmetic average height (µm), R q is the root mean square roughness (µm) and R z is the 10-point height (µm). R a is the most widely known parameter and is the arithmetic mean deviation of the profile, but it does not describe contact surfaces completely since a totally different surface can have similar or even identical values of average surface roughness [1]. Therefore, R z was provided to minimize the effect of the valleys which occasionally occur and can give an erroneous value [1].…”

“…R a is the most widely known parameter and is the arithmetic mean deviation of the profile, but it does not describe contact surfaces completely since a totally different surface can have similar or even identical values of average surface roughness [1]. Therefore, R z was provided to minimize the effect of the valleys which occasionally occur and can give an erroneous value [1]. The measurement results indicate that the R a and R z of the PU belt were reduced after wear from 0.349 µm to 0.179 µm, corresponding to about a 48% reduction, and from 1.576 to 0.216 µm, corresponding to a 86% reduction.…”

“…The application of belts in different types of cars, machines and device drives is known and well described in the literature in the field of mechanical engineering [1][2][3][4]. A wide group of belts with round and V-sections as well as toothed and flat belts can be made of thermoplastic polymers [1,5] The condition for manufacturing belts made of this type of materials is their easy processing by extrusion at a temperature of about 200 • C, followed by cooling to obtain the desired shape of the belt. The advantage of this solution is the ability to process belts multiple times.…”

Mechanical and Tribological Characteristics of Cladded AISI 1045 Carbon Steel

“…The increase in surface roughness of the single and double polished layers after UNSM treatment could have occured due to the high strike numbers, leading to an increase in surface integrity. The reduction in surface roughness of the as-received layer after UNSM treatment may be attributed to the elimination of high peaks and valleys [26]. Moreover, UNSM treatment may reduce the porosity, depending on the size and shape of the pores.…”