Wear performance of agricultural harrow discs coated by plasma-jet thermal deposition

Abstract

A comparative analysis of wear performance of coated harrow discs by plasma-jet thermal deposition was evaluated under agricultural conditions to assess the performance of atmospheric plasma spraying systems. This paper presents a long-term comparative field evaluation under identical operating conditions on a quartz-rich argic luvisol soil. Disc wear was quantified by periodic measurements of mass loss and diameter of the studied discs. The uncoated disc showed the most severe degradation, with a total mass loss of approximately 700 g and a rapid acceleration of wear after the first 5-10 ha of harrowing. The results obtained under field conditions demonstrate that the microstructural integrity of the coating is more critical than the nominal hardness and highlight the superior effectiveness of APS ceramic coatings for extending disc life in abrasive agricultural soils.