A model for the abrasive wear of metallic matrix particle-reinforced materials

In the present paper a model for the abrasive wear of metallic matrix reinforced materials is presented. The model is based on a generalisation to multiphase materials of the Rabinowicz equation, by considering separately the contributions of the reinforcement particles and of the matrix to material loss. The predictions of the model are discussed and compared with experimental results obtained on metallic matrix particle-reinforced materials subjected to abrasive wear tests. The model enables experimental results to be fitted and, moreover, explains apparently contradictory results previously presented in the literature.