Selection of materials and development of technology for the production of elements used in conditions of extreme tribological wear

Work was done as a part of the project "New generation haulage system of highly productive longwall systems" aiming to develop and implement a new longwall shearer system called KOMTRACK. The widely used EICOTRACK feed system developed forty years ago is not adapted to modern longwall shearers' power. Within the project, an innovative, flexible feed system with a modular structure was created with the possibility of continuous adjustment to the carbon wall's unevenness. Newly-developed three cast steels variants have been initially selected to fabricate this system's elements. The material's final selection was realized based on the tensile tests, Charpy impact tests, Brinell hardness surveys, and wear resistance measurements. Results analysis allowed to select cast steel marked as "2", which fulfilled all requirements and was used in further casting trials.