Erosion of copper single crystals under conditions of 30° incidence

High purity copper single crystals were eroded at 30° to a (111) face using glass spheres 210 μm in diameter travelling at a velocity of 133 m s^?1. Detailed scanning electron microscopy of both eroded surfaces and metallographic sections has been performed together with transmission electron microscopy of erosion debris. It was observed that there was extensive surface shear that led to ripple formation, folding of the surface, subsurface crack propagation and material loss by flaking similar to delamination wear. Direct evidence was obtained for recrystallization of the surface layers.