Substantiation of the choice of the cutter material and method of its hardening, working under the action of friction and cyclic loading

Abstract

Purpose: The main problem with the use of rescue instruments during emergency response is the low strength of the tool’s cutting edge. The consequence of this is the low efficiency of rescue operations. The purpose of this study is to substantiate experimentally the choice of material for the tool’s cutting edge and the method of surfacing it on the cutter of a hydraulic tool, operating under the simultaneous influence of friction and cyclic loading. Design/methodology/approach: The choice of material was carried out by the way of analytical analysis with subsequent experimental verification. For this purpose, specially made samples of cutters from various grades of alloyed steel were used. With these cutters the steel rod Ø 12 mm made of St3 steel was cut; the number of cutting cycles preceding blunting or destruction of the cutting edge of the tool was counted. Analytical study of the possibility of cutter’s surface hardening by fusing the cutting edge onto it was carried out by the way of analyzing scientific research in the area of improving the technical characteristics of a mechanized hydraulic tool. Findings: It has been experimentally established that Steel 30HGT gives the greatest number of working cycles before blunting, while steels of the manufacturer (Steel 65G and Steel 12M) are destroyed in 180 and 200 working cycles, respectively. Other steels are not destroyed, but can stand fewer number of cutting cycles. To reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of rescue operations, it is proposed to perform surface hardening of the tool cutter by fusing the cutting edge made of Steel 30 HGT steel (analogs: in Germany – 30MnCrTi; in the Czech Republic – 14231). Analytical research has shown that manual arc welding as a method of welding metals is widely tested, reliably reproducible, allows for surfacing in any conditions outside the fabrication facility and is carried out with non-bulky equipment. This will increase the life of the hydraulic rescue tool. Research limitations/implications: The study was conducted for steels that meet the requirements of national standards. Practical implications: Equipping rescue workers with a mechanized tool that has been upgraded by the proposed method improves the efficiency of rescue operations in emergency situations. Originality/value: It is proposed to increase the strength and reliability of a mechanized tool for rescue operations. For the first time, an attempt to substantiate the choice of method for hardening the cutting edge of an instrument by applying reliably reproducible technologies was made.