On thermomechanical effects during solid particle erosion

High strain rates and concomitant thermomechanical effects are expected during the impact of small hard particles upon solid targets. The extent of these thermal effects is determined by the competition between heat generation and heat dissipation. These two phenomena are controlled by several properties, and the response of various materials may differ greatly. The analysis of Hutchings and Levy (I. M. Hutchings and A. Levy, Wear, 131 (1989) 105), which considered the erosion of steel by hard particles, is here extended to the ceramic alumina and to the polymer ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. Evidence for localized melting during the erosion of alumina is rationalized using this treatment. It is considered that thermomechanical effects may influence erosion and the significance of these conclusions is briefly discussed.