A high-pressure shear cell for friction and abrasion measurements

This paper describes the design and operation of a high-pressure shear cell (HPSC) capable of pressing granular material against candidate wear surfaces at macroscopic pressures of up to 700 MPa. The wear surface is then forced laterally yielding information about coefficient of friction and wear mechanics during slip at the surface. This pressure covers the range commonly experienced in many mining operations, including those involved in ore crushing. Recent results using the shear cell to crush quartz against test tiles of Ni-hard 4 steel are described. Results for coefficient of friction and three body abrasion are reported. Wear results are quantified and compared in terms of contact profilometry and non-contact profilometry involving reflected light confocal microscopy.