This paper presents the results of wear tests of three types of commercial abrasion-resistant steels. The samples, cut from commercially available sheets of metal, were subjected to wear tests to a total friction path of 20,000 m. The tests were provided using the “rotating bowl” method in three types of natural soil masses. The soil moisture and test parameters were kept constant. The tests were carried out in six replications for each material. The testing results indicate that hardness does not determine the resistance to abrasive wear, which is supported by the weight loss results for particular materials. Hardox 600 steel, which is not characterized by the highest hardness, exhibited the lowest weight loss value compared to the other materials in all test soils. For the light soil, the weight loss for Hardox 600 was approx. 1.3 times lower than for Hardox 500 steel and approx. 1.6 times higher than for Hardox Extreme steel. With regards to the medium and heavy soil, the weight losses for Hardox 600 in relation to Hardox 500 steel were approx. 1.7 and 1.6 times lower, respectively, while in relation to Hardox Extreme steel the weight losses were 1.5 and 1.7 times higher, respectively.

The paper presents the results of abrasive wear resistance tests on Creusabro 4800 and Creusabro 8000 steel. The results obtained for laboratory samples were referred to the structure of the examined types of steel and to the basic indicators characterising their mechanical properties. As a result of the conducted tests, which used the methods of light and scanning microscopy, it has been concluded that, in its delivered condition Creusabro, steel exhibits a complex type of structure, characteristic for steel with the “TRIP effect.” The identified type of structure indicates a precisely adjusted chemical composition and the use of specialised heat treatment and forming processes in the production process of those materials. The abrasive wear resistance tests conducted by means of the “spinning bowl” method in real soil masses, i.e. light soil (loamy sand), medium soil (light till) and heavy soil (normal till), as well as the conducted measurements of hardness, have proven the strict dependence of the obtained indicators of abrasive wear resistance on the phase structure and on the status of the heat treatment of the tested steel. The results of abrasive wear resistance tests for Creusabro steel were referred to 38GSA steel in a normalised condition for comparison.

This study presents the results of testing for abrasive wear of Vanadis 60 SuperClean powder metallurgy steel as compared to Hardox 600 steel and PMFe60P padding weld. The testing was conducted by the “rotating bowl” method using natural abrasive soil masses. Two types of abrasive masses with particle size distributions corresponding to light soil and medium soil were used. The obtained results enable the conclusion that the weight loss for Vanadis 60 SuperClean powder steel in both types of abrasive mass was approximately seven times lower than that for Hardox 600 steel and two times lower than PMFe60P padding weld. The high resistance of powder steel to abrasive wear in abrasive soil masses is related to the presence of a large number of fine M₆C (tungsten-molybdenum) and MC (vanadium) carbide precipitates in its microstructure. The obtained test results indicate that the application of Vanadis 60 SuperClean steel may be extended to working elements operating in mineral abrasive environments.

The paper presents the results of experimental studies on abrasion resistance of Hardox 500 steel and 20MnCr5 steel subjected to thermo-chemical treatment. These types of steel are often used for agricultural or construction machinery. Abrasion tests were performed on a T-11 pin using a disc tester. The test conditions correspond to the wear caused by micro-grinding and grain-cutting using particles from the product as well as a result of abrasion produced by loose abrasive material created through the chipping of silica sand grains. The obtained results can be useful in the selection of materials for machine components.