Scanning electron microscopic studies of new and used fan nozzles for agricultural sprayers

The actual pattern of nozzle wear is not thoroughly understood. The purpose of this research was to determine if a scanning electron microscope could be used to provide more information about nozzle wear patterns. Three nozzles each of brass, nickel-coated brass (low phosphor), plastic, and stainles...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inApplied engineering in agriculture Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 133 - 137
Main Authors Krishnan, P, Evans, T, Ballal, K, Kemble, L.J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 01.03.2004
Subjects
abrasion resistance
brass nozzles
fan nozzles
pesticide application
plastic nozzles
plastics
scanning electron microscopy
sprayers
spraying
stainless steel
stainless steel nozzles
wear
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Summary:The actual pattern of nozzle wear is not thoroughly understood. The purpose of this research was to determine if a scanning electron microscope could be used to provide more information about nozzle wear patterns. Three nozzles each of brass, nickel-coated brass (low phosphor), plastic, and stainless steel, worn out at nozzle pressure of 137, 275, and 551 kPa (20, 40, and 80 psi) were scanned with a Philips (model 301) scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM was operated at 15 kV to study the nozzle wear pattern. Scanning electron microscopic studies revealed valuable information about the new and used nozzles. The pattern of nozzle wear was visible from viewing the micrographs. The brass and plastic nozzles appear to be more eroded than nickel-coated brass and stainless steel nozzles at all pressures. The stainless steel nozzle appears to resist erosion fairly well at high pressures. Information is also provided about the prediction equations for nozzle wear to complement the scanning electron microscopic studies.
ISSN:0883-8542
1943-7838
DOI:10.13031/2013.15881