Slurry erosive wear behaviour of metal matrix composites – A review

Abstract

Slurry erosion has become a problem in the components that handle particle-entrained slurry. The limitation of the metallic materials to inhibit the slurry erosive wear has led to the development of metal matrix composite (MMC) materials to suit applications in severe erosive environments. Compared to ductile and brittle materials, metal matrix composite materials behave differently when subjected to slurry erosion. However, due to the ductile matrix and hard reinforcement phases, the metal matrix composites exhibited semi-ductile and semi-brittle erosion behaviour under slurry erosion conditions. This work presents the material removal mechanisms of MMCs, erosion models, and types of equipment for slurry erosion testing. In addition, the various factors that influence slurry erosion, such as the properties of MMC, properties of flow, erodent particles, and slurry, have also been reviewed.