Solid-particle erosion behavior of high-performance thermoplastic polymers

Solid-particle erosion tests were carried out to study the effect of matrix material, impact angle, and impact velocity on the erosion behavior of seven types of thermoplastic neat polymers (i.e., polyetherimide, polyetheretherketone, polyetherketone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyethersulfone, polysulfone, and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene). Steady-state erosion rates of these polymers have been evaluated at different impact angles (15-90 degrees) and impact velocities (25-66 m/s). Silica sand of particle size 200 +/- 50 mu m was used as the erodent. These polymers have exhibited maximum erosion rate (E-max) at 30 degrees impact angle indicating ductile erosion behavior. Some of these polymers have shown an incubation behavior at lower impact velocities for an impact angle of 90 degrees. Correlations among steady-state erosion rate and mechanical properties and glass transition temperature (T-g) were established. Morphology of eroded surfaces was examined using scanning electron microscopy and possible wear mechanisms were discussed.