Prediction of the Wear Depth by Using Slurry Jet Test on Thermal Sprayed Cermet Layers

Abstract

Slurry erosion with sand particles is a serious problem for pumps operating at the Yellow River pumping station. Therefore, a technique to predict erosion volume loss is required for selecting erosion resistant material and determining specification of the maintenance period. This paper reports a method to predict the volume loss of thermal sprayed cermet layers using slurry jet apparatus. An equation for prediction is derived from combining an analysis of sand particle behavior in the slurry jet apparatus with measurement of surface profile on specimens obtained by slurry jet test by silica sand of approx. 60μm in mean diameter. There is a critical kinetic energy of particle above which erosion occurs. Critical kinetic energy of each material increase in proportion to Vickers hardness. The wear pattrem on the slurry jet test with the Yellow River sand of approx. 30μm in mean diameter can be predicted by using the above-mentioned equation.