Role of Particle Shape on Slurry Erosion Wear of AA6063

Abstract

The shape of erodent particles is most critical parameter, which affects the material removal from the target surface. The effect of particle shape on slurry erosion is still under investigation. The kinetic energy of the impacting particle is, in principle, responsible for removal of material from the target surface, which is a function of particle size, shape, density and velocity. In the present work, the variation of the wear with particle size and shape has been analysed to establish relationship between the two. Also the effect of particle shape on the maximum wear and normal impact wear has been investigated. The variations of mass loss form AA6063 target material due to four different shapes of erodents, namely, mild steel shots, mild steel grits, S.S. shots and S.S. grits are determined at two orientation angles 45° and normal impact angle. The kinetic energy of impacting particles was kept constant during all experiments by varying other parameters like velocity of impacting particles, solid concentration and test duration. So the effect of impacting particle shape on erosion wear has been investigated with constant kinetic energy effect at 45° and 90° impact angles. The worn out surfaces have also been studied using SEM to understand the material removal mechanism.

Keywords

• particle shape
• mild steel shots and grits
• s.s. shots and grits
• kinetic energy