Surface Coating Applications on Active Parts of Tillage Machines

Abstract

Tillage machines such as plow, cultivator, rotavator, and rototiller are widely used for this purpose. However, one of the major problems in working with tillage machines is the wear of active parts over time. Abrasion occurs differently in active parts of tillage machines and can cause the machines used to lose the functionality expected of them. It is preferred to cover the active parts with wear-resistant coating materials to reduce the level of wear to meet both agro technical demands and high tillage efficiency. The way of wear the active parts of the machines; it is abrasive wear caused by friction against solid materials in the soil (clods, stones, harder materials, etc.) and/or adhesive wear caused by soil moisture. Reducing the wear on the active parts with the coating process to be made will both prevent material loss caused by abrasion in the active part and increase the efficiency/effectiveness of the machine. Because of the limited number of studies on this subject in the agricultural sector shows that the subject is open to improvement. In this study, the use of new coating methods used in other production sectors (especially in mold manufacturing) for the last decade in coating the active parts of soil tillage machines and their effects on product performance and life by increasing wear resistance are compiled. Coating methods that can be adapted to the agricultural sector can be listed as; Gas Phase, Liquid Phase and Melted/Semi-Melted Phase. Among these, studies on Plasma Thermal Spraying (Molten / Semi-Molten Phase Coating Methods) and thin film coating (Vapor Phase Coating Methods) are prominent. On the other hand, it is predicted that the desired wear resistance can be further improved by applying different coating methods and combinations.