Implementation of an automated dry sand/wet sand rubber wheel tribometer for the evaluation of abrasive wear in materials

This work covers the redesign of the machine for the evaluation of dry abrasion resistance according to the ASTM G65 standard, from the Universidad del Atlántico; this machine was modified to implement the evaluation of wet abrasion resistance, according to the guidelines established by the ASTM G105 standard, and it was also converted into an automated equipment by means of a PLC. The methodology employed consisted in the first instance in conducting experimental tests to the old equipment (ASTM G65 standard), with which design flaws were detected and the necessary improvements for the implementation of ASTM G105 were identified, and the main elements to install the automated process control were also determined. Then a conceptual design was carried out to select the best option for the manufacture of the structure, based on that, simulations were performed in the SolidWorks software, in order to verify the critical elements of the machine, its permissible loads, validate the deformations, and know the safety factor; then calculations were made to determine the size and shape of the hoppers and the container for the wet abrasion resistance test. In this way, the necessary elements for the construction of the equipment were selected, although some of these elements were designed with a variety of shapes and sizes, which were not found in the market, therefore, it was necessary to manufacture them through different manufacturing processes. In addition, a study was carried out for the selection of the control elements and their fine-tuning, through tests based on ASTM G65 and ASTM G105 standards. The machine developed allows automated tests for the evaluation of dry and wet abrasion.