Abstract
Hydro-abrasive erosion characteristics were investigated for 30vol.%SiCp/6061-T6 Al composite material and 6061-T6 aluminium alloy at steady-state conditions using abrasive waterjets. The erosion rates were measured for shallow impact angles (< 20°) and the influence of the abrasive size, flow rate and the impact angle on the erosion process was studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the eroded surface and the results showed that erosion in the composite occurred due to microcutting of the aluminium matrix material, with the SiC particulates being removed subsequently by the shovelling action of the oncoming jet. The experiments also revealed that the erosive wear rates for the 30vol.%SiCp/6061-T6 Al composite were less than the erosive wear rates of the 6061-T6 aluminium alloy by a factor of two.
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