Erosion testing and modeling of several non-metallic materials

Polymer composite materials are finding increased application within industry as traditional metal components are much more costly. Many of these materials are exposed to severe solid particle erosion by sand particles, such as in oil and gas and process industries. Although, many studies have been performed on the erosion of various metals and erosion models exist to predict their erosion behavior, comprehensive studies and models on the erosion of non-metallic materials are not available. This paper aims to examine solid particle erosion of several non-metallic materials and develop and extend erosion models for these non-metallic materials. Dry direct impingement testing was conducted at three particle velocities of 12, 24, and 36 m/s and four impact angles of 15, 30, 60, and 90°. Semi-rounded particles of size 150 μm were used in these experiments. Material types included two thermoplastics, one elastomer, and one fiber-reinforced. Experimental results indicated that these materials yield erosion wear weight loss that was comparable or lower in magnitude to stainless steel. A few existing models for metallic and non-metallic materials were examined to provide a fit to the data. Two of the existing erosion models have been refined to predict erosion wear of non-metallic materials due to solid particle impacts. The models allow variable particle size and velocity, material hardness, and impact angles with the results yielding erosion mass and volume losses of the materials investigated. •Dry impact testing of non-metallic materials.•Erosion modeling of non-metallic materials.•Unique behavior of erosion profile for thermoplastics.•Custom erosion model for thermoplastics and elastomers.