Experimental investigation of polymer matrix reinforced composite erosion characteristics

Solid particle erosion of a composite material of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) matrix and unidirectional (AS4) carbon fiber was investigated experimentally. Erosion tests were conducted with 10 μm Arizona road dust and 100 μm sieved runway sand particles in especially designed erosion tunnel at temperature up to 260 °C (500 °F) and impact velocities up to 152.4 m/s (500 ft/s). Experimental results are presented for the measured erosion rates of the unidirectional (UD) composite material at two perpendicular fiber alignment settings relative to the impacting particle stream. The results indicate a quasi-ductile behavior with peek erosion rate at 45° impact angle. Overall the erosion rate was found to increase with impact velocity. The sieved runway sand caused more than double the erosion of the Arizona road dust under the same impact conditions. The erosion rate was also found to increase with temperature except at normal impact. The fiber alignment orientation relative to the impacting particle stream influenced the erosion rate of the (UD) composite material. Higher erosion rates were measured at 90° fiber orientation than at 0° at ambient test temperatures as reported in prior investigations. However, lower erosion rates were measured at 90° fiber orientation than at 0° for the erosion at 260 °C. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of post-erosion surfaces are presented.