A series of polyamides (PAs), namely, PA 6, PA 66, PA 66/610, PA 11, PA 12
and aromatic PA (brittle, hard and amorphous) was selected for investigatin
g the effect of chemical structure and hence, mechanical properties on eros
ive wear behavior by impinging silica sand particles of 90-180 mum size at
various angles and dozes. The results indicated that five polyamides includ
ing brittle PA showed maximum in wear versus impact angle relation at 30 de
grees confirming their ductile failure behavior. For two PAs, however, wear
was maximum at 15 degrees. Good correlation was observed in erosion rate a
nd brittleness index of polyamides at incidence angles of 90 and 60 degrees
. Worn surface analysis was done using scanning electron microscopy to inve
stigate wear mechanisms. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved
.