WEAR TESTING OF CHAIN LINKS IN A MULTIFACTORIAL DEGRADATIVE ENVIRONMENT – METHODOLOGY AND TEST STAND

<ns3:p>The article presents a methodology for testing the wear of chain links operating in a complex, degradation environment, taking into account the effects of abrasive, chemical, and dynamic factors. The design and construction of a test stand, enabling the recreation of real operating conditions with controlled selection of nominal and dynamic load parameters, mineral abrasive medium, and the presence of corrosive agents are described. The testing methodology, measurement procedures, and wear assessment methods are discussed. The results obtained during preliminary tests confirmed the suitability of the proposed methodology and test stand for analyzing the wear rate of conveyor chain joints under harsh operating conditions. The developed approach can be applied both in scientific research and in the designing process of more durable drive systems.</ns3:p>