Failure Analysis of Conveyor Chain Links: A Case Study

Abstract:

This case study is to investigate the causes of failure of chain system through characterization on the failure component. The failures that occur are relate to welding because this dipping latex industry used customized chain that have to be weld in joining with outer chain links. The analysis revealed that the weld defect such as crater leads the crack propagation and added with cyclic loading that cause the fatigue failure. The fatigue failure occurs due to this generated crack at the outer circumference of the weld within chain attachment and outer chain links plate. This type of defect also can be categories as designing-in defect. Fatigue crack propagation was evident by progressive beach marks and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the types of microstructure that resulting at heat affected zone (HAZ). Hardness testing by using Rockwell Tester found the different hardness profile at three areas that are weld metal, base metal and heat affected zone. The maximum hardness values were found at heat affected zone and weld metal. Finite element method (FEM) that is Ansys Workbench was used to review the different size of outer link plate thickness that affected to the stress distribution. It was found that stress can be minimized with increasing the plate thickness.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 465-466)
• Pages: 725-729
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.465-466.725
• Online since: December 2013
• Authors: Nur Ismalina Haris, Md. Saidin bin Wahab, Amarul Talip
• Keywords: Chain Links, Defect, Failure Analysis

References

[1] M. Singh and M. Singh, Chain Conveyors have and can improve the efficiency of many industrial processes, 4 Oct 2012. [Online]. Available: http: /www. neoconveyors. com/blog/chain-conveyors-have-and-can-improve-the-efficiency-of-many-industrial-processes/. [Accessed 10 Dec 2012].

[2] K. Otoshi, The complete guide to chain, 1997. [Online]. Available: http: /chain-guide. com/. [Accessed 12 Nov 2012].

[3] C. Gagg, Failures of components and product by 'engineered in defects', Engineering Failure Analysis, p.212–222, (2005).

[4] S. Bosnjak, M. Arsic, N. Zrnic, M. Rakin and M. Pantelic, Bucket wheel excavator: Integrity assessment of the bucket wheel boom tie-rod welded joint, Engineering Failure Analysis, p.18: 212–22, (2011).

DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2010.09.001

[5] Ito Y. & Bessyo K., Weldability Formula of High Strength Steels: Related to Heat-affected Zone Cracking, International Institute of Welding, 1968, pp. Doc IX-576-68.

[6] C. F. Düren, Prediction of the hardness in the HAZ of HSLA steels by means of the C-equivalent, Conference on Hardenability of Steels, p. Paper 4, (1990).

[7] N. Yurioka, Carbon equivalents for hardenability and cold cracking susceptibility of steels, Conference on Hardenability of Steels, p. Paper 3, (1990).

[8] Ginzburg, Vladimir B.; Ballas, Robert, Flat rolling fundamentals, CRC Press, 2000, p.141–142.

[9] D. Momčilović, N. Hut, L. Milović and I. Atanasovska, FAILURE ANALYSIS OF CHAIN BRACKET, New Trends in Fatigue and Fracture, pp.123-126, (2011).

[10] J.M. Barsom, S.T. Rolfe, Fracture and fatigue, ASTM Publications, (1999).

[11] V. Kerremans, T. Rolly, P. D. Baets, J. D. Pauw, J. Sukumaran and Y. P. Delgado, Wear of conveyor chains with polymer rollers, Sustainable Construction and Design 2011 , (2011).

DOI: 10.21825/scad.v2i3.20537