Synergism of the Binary Wear Process of Machinery Elements Used for Gaining Energy Raw Materials

During an in-situ operation of machines, used for the exploitation of energy raw materials, a damaging impact of the environment on the components of these machines is experienced. The action of degrading factors is mostly shown in the form of a clear synergistic effect. In particular, this effect can be seen during an exploitation of driving elements of scraper conveyors, used as one of the basic machines in the hard coal mining process. In the article, the subject–matter, connected with an operation of sprockets in scraper conveyors, is presented. Special attention is paid to a mutual reaction of the mineral abrasive and the presence of mine water. The main objective of the research work was a determination of the interactive component of the factor causing an abrasive wear–quartz abrasive connected with the associated action and the factor intensifying electrochemical corrosion–water with and without the NaCl salt content. Experimental tests were conducted in the conditions similar to the reality, with the use of a test rig in the form of a short scraper conveyor. Within the framework of the test abrasive wear rates for the case of the abrasive presence itself and a mixture of the abrasive, salt and water were determined. Based on the obtained results, it appears that there is a synergistic impact of abrasive–corrosive mixtures on the wear of the surface layer of the chain sprockets under testing, and also, the causes of the interactive component values in the function of hardness and maximum strength of the materials under investigation are presented.