Examination and comparison of various erosive wear models

A number of erosive wear models have been developed over the years. This paper examines some of the simpler ones that are defined more clearly in terms of easily measurable mechanical properties. In some cases, such models have yet to be fully explored, especially with regard to their applicability to more commercially important materials. The predictions of the chosen models were explored using a set of heat-treated steels. It was found that for erosion at normal incidence a model by Hutchings [I.M. Hutchings, Wear 70 (1981) 269-281], gave good agreement with experimental results. The model considers that an elementary volume of deformation produced by a single particle impact is removed when a critical strain is reached. The present work showed that uniform tensile strain is proportional to this critical strain. A further model developed by Hutchings [I.M. Hutchings Tribology: Friction and Wear of Engineering Materials, Edward Arnold, London, UK, 1992] for erosion at oblique angles was also explored. This indicated a dependence of erosion on hardness. A reasonable agreement with experimental results was found if it was assumed that the wear coefficient K was also a function of hardness. Other models explored gave poorer agreement with experimental data. The shortcomings of all the models were considered. It is suggested that microstructural factors often play a strong role, in addition to their influence on mechanical properties.