Erosion of Powder Metallurgy Aluminum Alloys by Hot Propellant Gases

Abstract

Experimental results are presented on the erosion of PMA (Powder Metallurgy Aluminum) alloys by a pulse of high pressure and high temperature combustible gases. The PMA alloys have been found to exhibit superior erosion resistance characteristics than wrought aluminum alloys. Of the PMA alloys tested, SAP materials (Sintered Aluminum Powder) were shown to be the best. The primary mechanism of the erosion of PMA alloys was found to be the melt and wipe off process. Combustion of aluminum that is responsible for the catastrophic erosion of wrought aluminum alloys was inhibited in PMA tests. Several hypotheses that explain erosion resistance of the PMA alloys have been postulated.