Solid Particle Erosion of Lantana Camara Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composite

Abstract

The present investigation reports the solid particle erosion behaviour of randomly oriented short Lantana-Camara fiber-reinforced polymer composites (LCRPCs) using silica sand particles (200 ± 50 µm) as an erodent. The erosion rates of these composites have been evaluated at different impingement angles (15°–90°) and impact velocities (48 m/s–109 m/s) with constant feed rate of erodent (1.467 ± 0.02 gm/min). Highest wear rates were investigated at impingement angles 45°. Erosive wear rates were found to have a close relationship with the impingement angle of the erodent and speed. The morphology of eroded surfaces was examined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Possible erosion mechanisms were discussed.