Erosion behaviour of advanced ceramics

Three kinds of advanced ceramics, namely alumina, zirconia, and sialon, were subjected to airborne erosion tests using garnet and SiC erodents. The effect of angle of impact on the erosion rate of these materials has been studied. A marked difference in erosion rate corresponding to shallow angle and normal impact was observed. Such a difference could be accounted for in terms of the erosion mechanism in the light of SEM micrographs of eroded surfaces. The effect of erodent particle properties on the erosion rate of these materials has also been examined. A large difference in erosion rate corresponding to various erodent materials was observed. Such a difference could be attributed to the variations in the shape, as well as the hardness and toughness of the erodent materials. The erosive wear behaviours of these ceramics were also different. Such differences could be explained by the various microstructures of these materials. Copyright (2001) The Australian Ceramic Society