Sand Erosion Testing of Polymeric Coatings of Steel Sheets

ABSTRACTThe sand erosion testing of transparent polymeric coatings of steel sheets was investigated. The tested coatings were aimed to coat the vehicle surfaces as well as lamp covers to defeat sand erosion during dusty storms. An air-sand erosion test rig was designed and manufactured for that purpose. The test rig was designed to allow constant velocity of sand particles to impact the coated steel sheets. Four types of transparent polymeric coatings (A, B, C and D) were tested. The evidence of erosion caused by sand particles in the coating surfaces was inspected before and after test by optical microscope. Based on the experimental results, it is found that the tested coatings (A) and (B) showed significant wear decrease. The lowest wear values were observed for coating thickness of 0.08 mm. At 90 ° angle of inclination embedment of sand particle was indicated by the weight increase after test. Heat treatment of the coatings caused significant wear decrease. Wear decreased down to minimum then remarkably increased with increasing angle of inclination. Coating (C), at low angle of inclination, showed relatively high wear resistance. This means that the shear strength of the coating is relatively high. As the angle of inclination increased wear increased. Heat treatment of coating (C) slightly decreased wear, where minimum values were observed at 60° angle of inclination.