Wear surface studies on blasting nozzles in abrasive surface treatment

Abstract

In this study, B₄C and Al₂O₃–TiC ceramics, WC–Co (YG8) cemented carbide and hardened steel were produced to be used as nozzle materials. Abrasive blasting surface treatment with these nozzles was carried out. The wear surface features of the nozzles made from these materials were examined. The results showed the ceramic nozzles to be entirely brittle in nature, with evidence of large scale chipping, and a brittle fracture induced removal process at the nozzle entry bore section; at the nozzle centre bore area, the ceramic nozzles showed a polishing effect with a very smooth surface, and the grain size and distribution could be clearly seen. Examination of the eroded bore surface of the WC–Co cemented carbide nozzles demonstrated that the wear occurred through preferential removal of the metal binder (Co) followed by pluck-out of the exposed WC grains, while the primary wear mechanisms of 45# hardened steel nozzle were ploughing and microcutting by the abrasive particles.