Surface modification of cultivator shovel with FeCrC, FeTi and Ni powders by GTA method

Abrasive wear resistance of soil tillage tools is an important part of the agricultural sector. This is because abrasive wear caused by hard particles in the soil is seen to shorten the life of these parts. In this thesis, surface modification with FeCrC, FeTi and Ni powders have been carried out to improve the hardness and wear resistance of AISI 1040 material cultivator shovel. Due to its simplicity and efficiency, GTA welding method has been chosen for the energy input to be supplied externally for the surface modification process. The welding apparatus designed with PLC control is used for this process. Microstructure studies have been performed with optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy diffusion X-ray analysis (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In addition, microhardness measurements and wear tests have been carried out. As a result of the coating processes, it has been observed that the hardness values for all three coating types is higher than the hardness value of the matrix material and the highest hardness value is in the sample obtained with a mixture of (wt. %) 70FeCrC + 30FeTi powders with a hardness value of 726.1 HV0;2. As a result of the increase of hardness obtained in the coating layer of the samples, it has been observed that the wear resistance has also increased. Abrasive wear tests have been carried out under loads of 5 N, 10 N and 15 N at distances of 400 m, 800 m and 1200 m. The wear loss of the substrate material has been found to be up to 13 times higher than the coating obtained with the mixture of (wt. %) 70FeCrC + 30FeTi powders. After laboratory tests, cultivator shovels have been coated and field trials have been carried out.