Solid-particle erosion of an Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-SiC-TiC composite

An electrodischarge-machinable Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-SiC-TiC composite developed by Industrial Ceramic Technology, Inc., has a high fracture toughness, 9.6{+-}0.6 MPm{sup 1/2}, as measured by indentation, and a Vickers hardness of 20.3{+-}0.6 GPa. The composite`s resistance to solid-particle erosion was measured for 143-{mu}m dia SiC particles impacting at 20-90{degree} angles and 50-100 m/s velocities. Erosion rate exhibited a maximum for normal incidence, and the erosion resistance was better than that of commercial Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}. SEM indicated that material wastage was by a combination of brittle fracture and microplasticity