Erosion of α-Fe by spherical glass particles

Polycrystalline α-Fe has been eroded at 30° and 90° with glass spheres of average diameters 70 μm and 200 μm in the velocity range 61–122 m s⁻¹. Detailed studies of the influence of the impact variables on the erosion rate as well as scanning electron microscopy studies of the eroded surfaces have been performed. It was observed that “breaking” waves developed on erosion at 30° and hills and valleys at 90°. Several different material loss processes that operate at various positions within waves, hills and valleys have been identified. It was clear that most material loss processes involved extensive localized shear and required the surface to become “conditioned” by a specific number of impacts before material loss began.