Erosion behaviour of epoxy based unidirectionl (GFRP) composite materials

In the present work, the solid particle erosion behaviour and wear mechanism of commercial epoxy based unidirectional glass fibre reinforced plastics (GFRP) composites were investigated. The erosion experiments have been carried out using irregular silica sand (SiC) particles (150 +/- 15 mu m) as an erodent. The erosion losses of these composites were evaluated at various impingement angles (30 degrees, 60 degrees and 90 degrees) with the change of both of erosion time and pressure. The erosion behaviour of (GFRP) has changed from ductile to brittle at 60 degrees impingement angle and the erosion loss was the highest. The morphology of eroded surfaces was observed under scanning electron microscope and damage mechanisms were discussed. (C) 2011 Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.