Solid particle erosion of aluminium alloy of aircraft fuselage skin

Solid particle erosion (SPE) has been a significant problem since the beginning of modern aviation. SPE is caused by sand and volcanic ash particles, when an aircraft is taking off or landing, or passing through volcanic ash clouds even far from the crater. The current scope of knowledge on SPE studies affecting a fuselage skin material and some others turbine components caused by volcanic ash particles is still restricted. Volcanic ash particles can cause damage to the windscreens, fuselage surfaces, and compressor fan blades, among others. The aim of this work is to highlight the importance of erosion in aerospace vehicles related to the volcanic ash impacts on aluminium alloy used for aircraft fuselage skins at room temperature. Volcanic ash particles were collected and characterized with a hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale and an average size of 200 µm with angular morphology; additionally, chemical composition was determined. A series of tests were performed with a particle velocity of 55 m/s at three impact angles (30°, 60°, and 90°). The results show the wear rates for these three impact angles, revealing a low wear rate at high angles and higher wear rate at 30 °. Furthermore, wear profiles were taken from the wear scars, and microscopically some images were analysed to identify the wear mechanisms. The target material, when subjected to the impact of angular solid particles exhibited similar behaviour.