The development of manufacturing, restoration and hardening technologies for parts operating in the soil medium, and above all for structural elements of tillage machines requires preliminary tests of materials in use for abrasive wear resistance. The above-mentioned extends to heat-treated steels. However, the existing methods and devices for carrying out such studies do not allow to cover the whole complex of problems. So, there are no methodologies allowing to carry out accelerated comparative tests of several heat-treated samples simultaneously with different parameters of mode, while maintaining the identity of tests at any time. As a result of considering a number of constructive schemes, a device with five experimental samples mounted on its cylindrical form framework is proposed. The tests are carried out by means of its vertical axis rotation in abrasive medium. The article presents the proposed device as an actual product. A method of experimentation has been worked out for the medium, which is a sandy loam soil with gravel inclusions. The developed method and equipment allow to carry out the wear tests for studying of abrasion resistance of at least five samples of different hardness, for conducting of the research under same conditions for all test materials at any time, for providing the accuracy and comparability of the results.

The hardness of working surface of ploughshares is very significant for their abrasive wear resistance. Knowing this mechanical property is especially important for manufacturing and hardening of ploughshares, since their wear is not uniform. In this regard, the research problems include studying of hardness distribution in the most loaded nose part of ploughshare, depending on its design and on welding reinforcement as a hardening method. Ploughshares after reinforcement and ploughshares in as-delivered condition after their taking out of service are submitted as objects of the research. Reinforcement included bead welding in the area of share point perpendicularly to the leading edge with the pitch of 30-40 mm. The validity of results was provided by measurement of four parts on each object of research. The total number of tested ploughshares was eight. Hardness was measured with a mobile hardness gage. Measurement results were recorded on Rockwell hardness scale (HRC) with subsequent conversion to Brinell hardness (HB). It is shown that for ploughshares without hardening, the hardness distribution in considered part has the non-uniform character, that is caused by the non-uniformity of processes of recrystallization because of unequal thickness of walls in separate volumes of a product. The hardness values of ploughshares in as-delivered condition are not high (230 HB maximum) and cannot provide the proper abrasive wear resistance. The lowered value of hardness (175 HB) is noted on the deepening part of a ploughshare. Application of welding reinforcement increases hardness (by 200 HB on the deepening part), that is connected with manifestation of heat hardening due to the formation of hardening structures. Traces of reinforcing beads make positive impact on the increase in hardness, which contributes to the growth of abrasive wear resistance.

The article presents the results of comparative accelerated bench tests for production capacity, carrying capacity and wear resistance of materials: CT textile, Rusar and Oxafen textile. These materials are proposed for the manufacture of vacuum pump blades used in animal husbandry complexes for milking machines. From the vacuum pump depends on the performance of the milking machine, its reliability and noise level. In turn, the reliability of the pump is largely determined by the wear resistance of its blades. Therefore, the problem of choosing a lightweight, durable and wearresistant material for the blades is crucial in their design and production. The study of the wear process under friction is associated with the need to reduce losses caused by the wear process itself. As well as with the development of effective methods for predicting the durability of friction units, ensuring their reliable operation, especially under extreme conditions. Innovative development of materials based on polymer resins with the addition of carbon, glass, fabric and other reinforcing fibers have already found wide application in aircraft manufacturing, shipbuilding, construction, and electrical engineering. Such materials have high strength and low weight, which explains the interest in their use in the production, strengthening and repair of agricultural machinery parts. The research results presented in the article provide a comparative assessment of layered plastics based on polymeric binders with the addition of reinforcing threads that have unique properties: they have high physical and mechanical properties, are resistant to long-term variable loads, to wear.

In the first part of the study, a direct relationship is established between the influence of the morphology of PMB (polymer modified binder) on the totality of its consumer properties and its tendency to destruction. The second part of the study is devoted to the influence of technological equipment used for the production of polymer modified binder on its properties. It was experimentally established that having the same initial components, PMB of completely different quality were obtained at the output. According to the degree of increase in rigidity (penetration value at 25 °C), obtained PMBs can be conditionally positioned as follows: prepared using a paddle mixer, a colloid mill, and an extruder. It is proved that the high elastic properties of PMB can be achieved by using paddle mixers that do not damage the long polymer macromolecules during the process. However, such binders are prone to delamination. To eliminate this negative aspect, the use of additional crosslinking agents is necessary. PMB prepared using an extruder has lost its elastic abilities, has become tough, with a high rate of cohesive strength. Thus, it is noted that when designing PMB compositions, it is necessary to carefully choose not only the raw material base but also the technological equipment for its preparation.