Finite element modeling of erosive wear

In this paper, an elasto-plastic finite element (FE) model is presented to simulate the erosion process in 3D configuration. The FE model takes into account numerical and material damping, thermal elastic-plastic material behavior and the effect of multiple particle impacts as well as material removal. The workpiece material modeled was Ti-6Al-4V. The effects of strain hardening, strain rate and temperature were considered in the non-linear material model. Comparison against results reported in literature and erosion models by Finnie, Bitter and Hashish are made. It is shown that the predicted results are in agreement with published results obtained experimentally and from analytical erosion models.