Failure analysis of tower axle in the wet drawing machine

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Failure analysis of tower axle in the wet drawing machine 
Yang Xu
1, a
, Ren-bo Song
2, b
, Yi-su Jia 
3, c
, Guo-fu Li
4, d
, Shuai Huang
5, e
1,2,3,5
School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 
Beijing 100083, China 
4
Jiangyin Huafang Electromechanical Technology Co., Ltd., Jiangyin Jiangsu 214400, China 
a
email:[e-mail],
b
email:[e-mail],
c
email:[e-mail], 
d
email:[e-mail],
e
email:[e-mail] 
Key words:
tower axle; 40Cr steel; failure analysis; microstructure; heat treatment
Abstract:
The paper presents a failure analysis of tower axle in the water tank wire drawing 
machine. Material of the tower axle is 40Cr steel. In order to analyze the failure reasons of tower 
axle in the water tank wire drawing machine, we take experimental means such as morphological 
analysis, mechanical property
testing, micro-metallography and scanning electron microscopy 
(SEM) of fracture observation, etc. The results show that the fracture of tower axle belongs to brittle 
fracture. The content of inclusions is more, and the composition is complex in the material. The 
heat treatment technology is improper. Improper quenched and tempered processing technologies 
cause more reticular and blocky ferrite in the steel. These are the main reasons for fracture of the 
tower axle. 
Introduction 
Wet drawing machine has the features of anti-pull force for drawing. Its structure is simple and 
compact. It covers less area, and it is easy to operate. After that, drawing speed is high and cooling 
condition is good. Service life of the mould is long, and there are environmental protection, no dust, 
clean finished steel wire surface and no reverse [1]. It is widely used for process of filaments 
drawing in the metal products industry. The round tower has a variety of diameters of pulley. It is 
used for changing speed transmission parts. Pairing round towers are supporting the use.Tower axle 
is a carrier of the tower round. The stress of tower axle is complex, and is subjected to cyclic stress 
state of tension and compression in the long run. The material of tower axle is 40 Cr. Fractures 
occur after operations for 10000 h, and the breakage is located in the place of variable diameters. In 
order to find failure reasons of tower axle in wire drawing machine, the author works on the 
analysis of failure.