Erosive wear behaviour of polyphenylenesulphide (PPS) composites

The solid particle erosion behaviour of randomly oriented short glass fibre and mineral particle reinforced polyphenylenesulphide (PPS) composites has been characterised. The erosion rates of these composites have been evaluated at different impingement angles (15-90 degrees) and at three different particle speeds (upsilon = 20, 40 and 60 m/s). The particles used for the erosion measurements were silica sand with a diameter of 150-200 mu m. Mass flow of sand was 9 g/s, which is impinged under 4.5 bar pressure. The PPS composites showed semi-ductile erosion behaviour, with maximum erosion rate at 60 degrees impingement angle. The impingement angle has a significant influence on erosion rate. The morphology of eroded surfaces was examined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Possible erosion mechanisms were discussed. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.