The melting of metal targets during erosion by hard particles

The objective of the research described was to develop acceptable metallographic evidence for melting by detailed examination of individual impacts on two materials with low melting points; these were Ga (melting point, 29 deg C) and indium (melting point, 156 deg C). These materials also enabled a comparison to be made between two cases of melting at craters for which there were different modes of impact energy adsorption; these modes are plastic deformation, exhibited by In, and fracture, exhibited by Ga. In addition, the behavior of In impregnated with SiC particles was studied to simulate the case of impact on a surface containing embedded erodant; this is a common fracture of ductile targets eroded at 90 deg C. 22 ref.--AA