HYDRO-ABRASIVE EROSION CHARACTERISTICS OF 30VOL-PERCENT-SICP 6061-T6 AL COMPOSITE AT SHALLOW IMPACT ANGLES/

Hydro-abrasive erosion characteristics were investigated for 30vol.%Si C(p)/6061-T6 Al composite material and 6061-T6 aluminium alloy at stea dy-state conditions using abrasive waterjets. The erosion rates were m easured for shallow impact angles (<20-degrees) and the influence of t he abrasive size, flow rate and the impact angle on the erosion proces s was studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characte rize the eroded surface and the results showed that erosion in the com posite occurred due to microcutting of the aluminium matrix material, with the SiC particulates being removed subsequently by the shovelling action of the oncoming jet. The experiments also revealed that the er osive wear rates for the 30vol.%SiC(p)/6061-T6 Al composite were less than the erosive wear rates of the 6061-T6 aluminium alloy by a factor of two.