Solid particle erosion of metals: the removal of surface material by spherical projectiles

Abstract Experiments are described in which steel spheres were projected obliquely onto mild steel targets. It is shown that this successfully simulates a class of impact occurring during the erosion of metals by dust and sand particles. The dependence of the crater dimensions on impact angle and velocity is determined and, using high speed photography, the energy balance in the impact process is studied. A model of crater formation is proposed which accurately predicts the volume of material displaced and the energy lost by an impacting sphere. It is found that metal becomes detached along a band of intense subsurface shear; calculation shows that this is associated with the production of local high temperatures. The data and analysis presented provide a basis for assessing the rôle of the ploughing component of deformation in erosion.