What Does
Plowing Mean?
Plowing is a strategy used to eliminate the bond between rough and smooth surfaces through mechanical means. This process enhances the friction coefficient, which may lead to fracture or wear that is not related to direct removal of material.
By preventing abrasion, which occurs when a rough, hard surface slides across softer surfaces, abrasive wear is less likely to take place. That is why an abrasive wear mechanism, such as plowing should be observed to control abrasion wear.
Plowing is also known as scraping.
Corrosionpedia Explains Plowing
Abrasive wear takes place when rough surfaces come in contact with softer surfaces. When this happens, material loss may occur because hard protuberances or particles are forced against solid surfaces. This depends on the form of contact and environment for contact. The kind of contact establishes the manner of abrasive wear.
Wear can take place when hard particles, like grit, eliminate material from an opposing surface. The same thing happens in the plowing or scraping operation. Corrosion or wear results when the particles are not held back and are allowed to slide and roll on the surface.
To mitigate abrasive wear, the loss of mass that may be caused by processes like plowing must be minimized. Damage can result as materials are displaced to one side or away from wear particles, which leads to groove formation that may contribute to mass loss or removal. Thus, the way a material is removed from a certain surface should be subjected to accurate monitoring and measurement. This is to ensure that wear and other kinds of damage are controlled.