Modeling of Cumulative Mass Loss—Time Curves for Six Erosion and Abrasion Test Methods

Abstract Cumulative mass loss-time curves of six erosion and abrasion test methods are studied. These methods include: vibratory cavitation erosion, film cavitation erosion, flow cavitation erosion, cavitating liquid jet erosion, liquid impact erosion, and slurry abrasion. It has been previously well established that the cumulative erosion-time curves of vibratory cavitation erosion tests can be modeled by the Weibull cumulative distribution function. Validity of this model is further extended for the five additional erosion test methods. The typical Weibull plot for these test methods is bimodal, consisting of two intersecting straight lines. Mode 1 of the plot represents the boundary layer, and Mode 2 represents the base material of the specimen. This type of plot is the result of a two-layered test specimen. Data obtainable from the cumulative erosion-time curve are rather limited, since the analysis is empirical. Analysis of the Weibull cumulative distribution function plots yields much more information, and facilitates the evaluation of the test specimen's structure, test procedure, and test results.