Abstract:Composite gradient plates with GCr15, Q420 and IF steel was fabricated by vacuumrolling composite (VRC) technology and the forage harvester blades were prepared. Microstructure, chemical composition and hardness distribution, and shear strength in the interface of composite gradient plates were inspected. In order to compare the cutting performance between composite gradient material selfsharpening blades and commercial blades, the field experiment was carried out. The results indicated that a more disordered metallurgical bonding characteristics because of materials interbiting characteristics at the interface of different plates (GCr15/Q420, Q420/IF) during rolling process was formed. With fewer microstructure defects, transition zone was formed due to the chemical compositions diffusion in the interface. The shear strength of the bonding interface exceeded the requirements of the national standard, which can meet the requirements of gradient material selfsharpening blades. The interface fracture mode was ductile fracture with good plasticity. There was a relatively gentle hardness gradient variation between different interfaces. The flank surface, point tip and cutting edge of selfsharpening blades were made up of GCr15 steel with higher hardness and wear resistance. Hardness gradient variation and uniform wearing for rake surface of selfsharpening blades were remarkably exhibited. In the operation process, selfsharpening blades improved the operation efficiency and service life. It can keep the tool tip in the prominent position and edge curvature radius slightly change, which can maintain sharpness property of blades and lowdamage cutting of regeneration. Field experiment can obtain the results comparison of wear weightloss rate and macroscopic morphology between the composite gradient material selfsharpening blades and commercial blades. The results showed that under the same operation conditions, compared with commercial blades, the gradient material selfsharpening blades had more excellent properties: slightly variation of arc radius, edge curvature radius, and abrasive resistance. The further field experiment results indicated that the wear resistance of the selfsharpening blades was more than three times of that of commercial blades.