Full definition
Material loss caused by solid particles suspended in a fluid (water, air, slurry) impacting a surface at an angle. Maximum erosion occurs at 20–30° for ductile materials and at 90° for brittle materials. Wear rate scales as W ∝ v²˙⁵. Critical in slurry pumps, pulp pipelines, hydrocyclones and mining valves. Control: rubber linings, high-chrome alloys, ceramic coatings and optimised flow geometry.