Study for Performance Increase of a Extractor Device by Steel Replacement of AISI 304 Steel for AISI 420 Steel

Abstract

The performance of an extractor device used in the food industry was studied from the development of structural analysis through computational modeling based on finite elements. These analyses considered the mechanical properties of AISI 304 and 420 stainless steels, in addition to the tribological aspects of the device in operation. Initially, uniaxial tensile tests were carried out according to the ABNT NBR 6892 standard and hardness tests were carried out according to ASTM E384, E92, and E18 standards. From the mechanical tests, structural analyses were carried out numerically on each of the components of the extractor device. After analyzing all the components, the device was assembled to be tested in operation. The wear and service life of devices made from these two materials were evaluated. From this study, it could be concluded that the extractor device made with AISI 420 stainless steel, in addition to having a lower manufacturing cost, suffered less wear and had an increase in service life of up to 650% compared to the extractor device made with steel stainless steel AISI 304.