In situ real-time solid particle erosion testing methodology for hard protective coatings

Solid particle erosion (SPE) degradation of components in aircraft operating in harsh environments is a well known issue causing severe maintenance and reliability problems. In order to enhance the lifetime of engine components, many different hard protective coatings have been developed and present varying material removal mechanisms depending on their phase constitution and microstructure, and on erodent characteristics. Studying these mechanisms in detail is quite challenging given that SPE testing is notoriously inaccurate due to its aggressive nature and its many methodological uncertainties. In the present work, a novel in situ real-time erosion testing methodology has been developed using a quartz crystal microbalance in order to study the SPE of hard protective coating systems. Using conventional mass loss SPE testing, we validate and discuss the advantages and challenges related to such a method. Finally, this time-resolved technique enables us to discuss some transient events present during SPE testing of hard coating systems leading to new insights into the erosion process.