Content area
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the behavior of metal matrix composites under conditions of abrasive slurry erosion. In order to identify the erosion mechanisms associated with composites, it was necessary to model the fluid flow and its influence on the trajectories of abrasive particles. An analysis based on potential and stream functions led to the determination of the velocity components of the fluid in the axisymmetrical jet. The boundary conditions corresponding to the free surface of the jet were included in the numerical resolution of the differential equations given by the inverse formulation of the fluid flow. The observation of the eroded surfaces of the aluminum specimens was useful to verify the predictions that could be made from the particle trajectories. The observation pointed out the influence on particle trajectories of the following parameters: abrasive particle size, abrasive concentration in the slurry and impact angle of the slurry jet on the surface. The results obtained on aluminum helped also to interpret the observations made on the two types of aluminum composites reinforced with particulates and fibers. Thus, two erosion mechanisms were identified. The first one consists of microcutting of the matrix while reinforcing elements have good resistance against particles impacts. This mechanism corresponds to mild erosion conditions. The second mechanism is characterized by the fracture of the reinforcing elements caused by the impacts of severe erosion conditions. The activation of these mechanisms depends strongly on the relative size of the abrasive particles with respect to the size of the areas where there is no reinforcement (particulates or fibers).