Practical estimation of erosion damage caused by solid particle impact

A practical, predictive equation for estimating erosion damage caused by solid particle impact, which can be utilized under any impact conditions and for any type of material, is proposed. Impact parameters, which affect erosion mechanisms and damage to materials are the size, shape and properties of particles in addition to the important parameters of impact velocity and angle. The material parameters are mechanical properties such as material hardness. Correlative equations with erosion damage are generally derived from particle impact energy, but cannot be applied to the selection of suitable materials in practical service or for estimating erosion damage to newly developed materials. However, another correlative equation derived from indentation behavior, which relates to material hardness, is useful for this purpose of the estimation. The mechanical properties of a material can be therefore regarded as a key parameter for estimating erosion damage. The effects of impact parameters on the correlative equation were investigated in detail for several aluminum, copper, carbon steel and stainless steel specimens. The impact angle dependence of erosion damage to these materials was also discussed. It was concluded that material hardness was clearly an essential parameter and should be a dependent variable in terms of impact velocity dependence and impact angle dependence in the practical, predictive equations.