Experimental Investigation of Material Surface Erosion Caused by TiO2 Nanofluid Impingement

Nanofluids by virtue of their enhanced thermal properties have the potential to become next generation coolants. But the erosion of the material surface caused by nanofluids could negatively impact their applicability in cooling circuits. Very few studies address this particular aspect of nanofluids. In the present investigation, the erosion effect of TiO2 nanofluid on both ductile and brittle surfaces has been carefully studied. Aluminium and Cast Iron are chosen as representative ductile and brittle materials respectively. The temporal variation of weight loss of the material with impingement has been taken as preliminary proof for the erosion phenomenon. The SEM and AFM images of the eroded surfaces have been used to gain more insight on the process of material removal. To further corroborate the results, measurements on roughness, Machinability Index and Hardness Values have also been performed. An attempt has been made to explain the physics of erosion using principles of Fluid Mechanics. Lastly, the effect of corrosion on the erosion phenomena has also been addressed.