Iranian Journal of Biosystem Engineering

Iranian Journal of Biosystem Engineering

Investigation of the Effects of Blade Geometry, Material, and Hardening Method on the Wear Resistance of Sugarcane Harvester Cutting Blades

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 Department of Agricultural Machinery and Mechanization Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Rural Development, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani, Iran.
2 Senior Design Expert, Iran Khodro Engine R&D and Manufacturing Co. (IPCo), Tehran, Iran.
3 PhD of Mechanical Engineering of Biosystems, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina, Hamadan, Iran.
10.22059/ijbse.2026.420685.665662
Abstract
One of the problems associated with sugarcane harvesting machines is wear of cutting blades, which leads to reduced cutting quality, increased machine downtime, and higher operating costs. Optimal and wear-resistant blade design can improve operational safety. Evaluating blade materials in combination with blade geometry and hardening methods is essential for designing blades with long service life and performance. Previous studies investigated these factors independently. The objective of this study was to evaluate the simultaneous effects of blade material, geometry, and hardening method on the wear resistance of cutting blades used in sugarcane harvesting machines and to identify suitable combination under the conditions investigated. The innovation of this study lies in adopting an integrated approach to evaluate the combined effects of blade material, geometry, and hardening method on wear performance, providing a practical basis for selecting suitable blade configuration for sugarcane harvesting applications. Wear was evaluated by measuring the difference in specimen weight before and after 24 h of harvesting operation using a digital balance with an accuracy of 0.01 g. A linear regression relationship was established between blade hardness and wear resistance, with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.93. The results showed that the lowest wear after 24 h of operation was observed for 100Cr6 steel, with a wear value of 67.35 g. Among blade geometries, the reinforced geometry exhibited the lowest wear, with a value of 68.15 g. Furthermore, the combination of 100Cr6 steel and induction hardening resulted in the lowest wear, with a value of 64.41 g.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 28 September 2026

  • Receive Date 14 August 2026
  • Revise Date 18 September 2026
  • Accept Date 28 September 2026