Solid Particle Erosion of Brittle Materials (Part 3)

Abstract

The erosive wear of four kinds of brittle materials, Si3N4, PSZ, SiC and Glass, was tested using eight kinds of impingement particles having different hardness. The erosion rate depended remarkably on the ratio of the hardness of an impingement particle (Hp) to that of a target (Ht). When Hp/Ht>>1, severe erosive wear was observed in all target materials. When Hp/Ht<1 and the fracture toughness of target materials (Kct) was small, that is the case with SiC and glass as target materials, significant erosive wear was observed. However, when Hp/Ht<1 and Kct was rather large, that is the case with Si3N4 and PSZ as target materials, almost no erosive wear was observed. The interaction with material properties of target and impingement particle on the erosive wear mechanism is discussed, and a map of erosive wear relating Hp, Ht, Kct and Kcp (fracture toughness of impingement particle) is proposed.