Grain size effects on the wet erosive wear of high-purity polycrystalline alumina

The wet erosive wear of a set of 100% polycrystalline alumina materials of tailored grain sizes in the range 1–12 μm has been studied using a slurry of coarse alumina grit in water. Detailed observations of worn surfaces identify two wear mechanisms: microfracture and grain detachment, and tribochemical wear. Measured wear rates are a function of (grain size) − 1 2 . and a linear relationship between wear rate and four-point bend strength is also seen. Grain detachment is the dominant wear mechanism for grain sizes > 2 μm.