Paper pulp refiner long-duration wear monitoring with polymer replicas

Between 2001 and 2004 a wear test was conducted in an operating Oregon paper mill. The objectives were to determine if there was a significant wear difference between two refiner alloys and to monitor and record wear while minimizing the impact on production. Four complete circles of plates were installed in a Sprout refiner. One circle was all Andritz A10 alloy, one was 17-4PH and the other two were alternating 17-4PH and A10 plates. Before installation and after removal bar height was measured with a micrometer. Wear surface replicas were taken five times during and after the test which started in August 2001 and ended in October 2004. It was found that 17-4PH wore at a slightly higher rate than the A10 in this application. The replica method of measuring and recording wear was very effective, producing data with good precision and accuracy and also minimizing disruption to the operating mill.