Structural changes in and the wear of the rock cutting element of a bulldozer during operation under the North conditions

The phenomenon of accelerated wear of a ripper crown in a digging machine (bulldozer) under the North operating conditions is studied. The elemental composition, microstructure, microhardness of the crown metal and the wear surface relief characteristics are determined. It is found that, under complex heat-force conditions of loading during the exploitation of cryolite rocks, the metal in the active surface of the rock cutting element undergoes intense softening as a result of the formation of a secondary structure, namely, frictioninduced sorbite. As a result of an insufficient level of the wear resistance of the crown metal and its plasticization, the traces of abrasive wear become deeper and plastic impact-abrasive wear takes place.