Effect of Aluminide Coatings and Wheat Handling Parameters on Erosion in Wheat Storage Bins

Recent studies demonstrate that aluminide coatings are beneficial to wear and erosion resistance and also that oxygen-active elements such as yttrium can remarkably improve this resistance. In this research, the micro-hardness of the aluminide coatings with and without yttrium on 1045 steel was investigated using a micro-mechanical probe. Wear of the samples was measured using a pin-on-disk tribometer. The erosion loss of specimens against soft and hard wheat was also evaluated using a slurry erosion test machine. The data was analyzed statistically using a 3-factor completely randomized design to study the effect of wheat varieties (soft and hard wheat), moisture content at three levels (10±0.5, 15±1.5, and 20±2 % (wet basis)), and rotary velocity of the slurry erosion machine at three levels (200, 400, and 600 rpm) on erosion resistance. The results showed that the aluminide coatings improved the wear and erosion resistance of substrate steel 1045; yt-trium markedly improved the hardness of the aluminide coating and its wear and erosion resistance. The erosion loss of materials was significantly (p<0.01) influenced by the type of wheat, moisture content and rotary velocity. Both aluminide coatings showed higher wear and erosion resistance than 1045 steel substrate.