Evaluation of the possibility of improving the durability of tools made of X153CrMoV12 steel used in the extrusion of a clay band in ceramic roof tile production

The article presents the results of a complex comparative analysis of the abrasive wear resistance of tools made of X153CrMoV12 steel after different heat treatment variants. These investigations aimed to select the most durable material for application in tools forming a mass band in the production of ceramic roof tiles. The tests included the determination of resistance to abrasive wear in ball-on-disc tests, hardness measurements, and microstructure analysis, including the assessment of changes occurring in the subsurface area, as well as impact tests (at a working temperature for the tools of 50°C). The comprehensive test results showed that the best effects of increasing the resistance to abrasive wear can be obtained through a heat treatment that consists of hardening at 1020°C and then tempering at 200°C for about 2 hours. The next stage of research will be to compare the results obtained with another popular material for tools for the production of roof tiles - Hardox steel, which is characterized by high resistance to abrasive wear.