The erosion of ductile metals by spherical particles

Abstract

In a study of solid particle erosion mild steel targets have been impacted obliquely by steel spheres at velocities up to 356 m s-1. It is shown that metal can be removed from the surface by a process involving the shearing of surface material in the direction of motion of the projectile. In this way an overhanging lip may be formed and detached. It was found that adhesion between the sphere and the surface and localized thermoplastic shear in the target both played important roles in this process. The weight of material lost in individual impacts has been measured as a function of both impact velocity and angle. Good agreement is found between these results and those of multiple impact experiments reported by Kleis (1969).