EFFECTS ON A SHEET SURFACE OF AN EROSIVE PARTICLE JET UPON IMPACT

The impact of particles on a surface can cause severe erosion damage. The erosion of a surface by abrasive particles in an inert fluid shoul d depend on the number of particles striking the surface, their veloci ty and their direction relative to the surface. These quantities are l argely determined by the flow conditions. The importance of knowledge of the flow field surrounding impinging particles and their target is emphasised for an understanding of erosion. A new erosion test bench h as been built with the possibility of having a maximum number of exten sions (for example we can utilise different projections systems). This erosion test bench has allowed experiments on particle velocities, im pact areas and a study of the factors which influence sand erosion. Th is study permitted experimental verification of the turbulent jet theo ry and understanding of the interaction between particles and the samp le.