Erosive wear modelling by means of the fractional approach

Abstract

Fractional approach to modelling cavitation erosion kinetics was proposed by the author over two decades ago as a response to incompatibilities in material resistance assessments following from the International Cavitation Erosion Test project. The current status of the methodology, with overview of research conducted so far as well as discussion of the approach potential and limitations, was summarized in a paper published by Wear in 2020. After recapitulating the background, basic assumptions and available results, the present paper explains some details of the computational algorithm applied, including solution of the equation of polyfractional erosion kinetics and technique of extracting monofractional erosion curves from several tests conducted under polyfractional load conditions. Cavitation fatigue strength characteristics are derived from the fractional erosion curves. The methodology description is illustrated by examples. However, description of experimental technique has been confined this time to the minimum necessary for reading the present text independently of previous publications. The paper has been written as it came to author's awareness that the previous description of the methodology concept and results might be insufficient for its successful application and possible development by other researchers. The prospects for such development are discussed in the final part of the paper.