The effect of humidity on the erosive wear of 6063 Al alloy

The effect of relative humidity on the erosion of 6063 aluminum alloy with respect to sandblasting of silicon carbide was experimentally studied. The effects of attack angle and particle size on the eroded morphology were studied. The target volume loss and worn depth of the eroded material were investigated at different temperatures (25 degrees, 35 degrees, 45 degrees, and 55 degrees C) and in different relative humidity conditions (50%, 65%, 80%, and 95%). Tt was found that the humidity had a minor effect on the peak attack angle for target volume loss, while its effects on the amount of volume loss and worn depth were significant and complex in most of the environmental conditions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.