Effect of temperature on solid particle impact erosion wear mechanism of 5 mol% Yttria Stabilized Zirconia ceramics

The effect of elevated temperature on solid particle impact erosion wear behavior of 5 mol% Yttria Stabilized Zirconia ceramics (5YSZ) was studied using corundum sand as solid impact particles, an impact angle of 90°, and an impact speed of 50–60 m/s. Moreover, the erosion wear mechanism of 5YSZ ceramics at different temperatures was discussed. The solid particle impact erosion wear rate of 5YSZ ceramics was increased from 0.10 mm3/g to 0.81 mm3/g when the temperature rose from room temperature to 1200 °C, and then decreased to 0.64 mm3/g at 1400 °C. The plastic deformation erosion mechanism of 5YSZ ceramics was observed from room temperature to 1400 °C, and the erosion wear mechanism of cracking in irregular crisscross patterns lead to the stepwise heightened flaky exfoliation of the material from 600 °C to 1200 °C, which became the main erosion wear mechanism. These results provide the theoretical base for extension of service life of 5YSZ ceramics by avoiding the conditions that lead to erosion wear mechanisms.