A regression study on the solid particle erosion of copper and copper alloys by angular and spherical particles at normal incidence

A regression analysis is presented on the solid particle erosion results of copper and copper alloys impacted by angular and spherical silica particles at normal incidence. Particle shape, particle size, and zinc content of materials were selected as factors. Also, three levels were assigned to each factor. Experiments were performed under 50 mTorr vacuum utilizing an electrostatic accelerator erosion tester. A total of 10 g particles were sent to each substrate material in 10 increments. At the end of the experiments, the extent of erosion was calculated by dividing weight loss to the amount of particles sent. A regression analysis was conducted on the erosion data to see the individual and interaction effects of factors chosen. Results indicate that quadratic components of zinc content, particle shape, and particle size and linear interaction between particle size and zinc content were effective in defining erosion in this study.