Designation: G 76 – 04

Standard Test Method for

Conducting Erosion Tests by Solid Particle Impingement
Using Gas Jets1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation G 76; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the determination of material 3.1 Definitions:
loss by gas-entrained solid particle impingement erosion with 3.1.1 erosion—progressive loss of original material from a
jetnozzle type erosion equipment. This test method may be solid surface due to mechanical interaction between that
used in the laboratory to measure the solid particle erosion of surface and a fluid, a multicomponent fluid, or impinging liquid
different materials and has been used as a screening test for or solid particles.
ranking solid particle erosion rates of materials in simulated 3.1.2 impingement—a process resulting in a continuing
service environments (1, 2).2 Actual erosion service involves succession of impacts between (liquid or solid) particles and a
particle sizes, velocities, attack angles, environments, and so solid surface.
forth, that will vary over a wide range (3-5). Hence, any single 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
laboratory test may not be sufficient to evaluate expected 3.2.1 erosion value—the volume loss of specimen material
service performance. This test method describes one well divided by the total mass of abrasive particles that impacted the
characterized procedure for solid particle impingement erosion specimen (mm3·g−1).
measurement for which interlaboratory test results are avail- 3.2.2 Normalized Erosion Rate—erosion value (mm3·g−1)
able. of specimen material divided by erosion value (mm3·g−1) of
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the reference material.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4. Summary of Practice
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 4.1 This test method utilizes a repeated impact erosion
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. approach involving a small nozzle delivering a stream of gas
containing abrasive particles which impacts the surface of a
2. Referenced Documents test specimen. A standard set of test conditions is described.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3 However, deviations from some of the standard conditions are
E 122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, permitted if described thoroughly. This allows for laboratory
With a Specified Tolerable Error, the Average for a scale erosion measurements under a range of conditions. Test
Characteristic of a Lot or Process methods are described for preparing the specimens, conducting
G 40 Terminology Relating to Wear and Erosion the erosion exposure, and reporting the results.
2.2 American National Standard:
ANSI B74.10 Grading of Abrasive Microgrits4 5. Significance and Use
5.1 The significance of this test method in any overall
measurements program to assess the erosion behavior of
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee G02 on Wear and materials will depend on many factors concerning the condi-
Erosion and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee G02.10 on Erosion by
Solids and Liquids. tions of service applications. The users of this test method
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2004. Published January 2004. Originally should determine the degree of correlation of the results
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as G 76 – 02.
2
obtained with those from field performance or results using
Boldface numbers in parentheses refer to references at the end of this test
method.
other test systems and methods. This test method may be used
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or to rank the erosion resistance of materials under the specified
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM conditions of testing.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
4
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 G 76 – 04
6. Apparatus shall be measured at the location to be occupied by the
6.1 The apparatus is capable of eroding material from a test specimen and under the conditions of the test.
specimen under well controlled exposure conditions. A sche-
7. Test Materials and Sampling
matic drawing of the exit nozzle and the particle-gas supply
system is shown in Fig. 1. Deviations from this design are 7.1 This test method can be used over a range of specimen
sizes and configurations. One convenient specimen configura-
tion is a rectangular strip approximately 10 by 30 by 2 mm
thick. Larger specimens and other shapes can be used where
necessary, but must be documented.
7.2 The abrasive material to be used shall be uniform in
essential characteristics such as particle size, moisture, chemi-
cal composition, and so forth.
7.3 Sampling of material for the purpose of obtaining
representative test specimens shall be done in accordance with
acceptable statistical practice. Practice E 122 shall be con-
sulted.

8. Calibration of Apparatus
8.1 Specimens fabricated from Type 1020 steel (see Table 1
FIG. 1 Schematic Drawing of Solid Particle Erosion Equipment and Fig. 2) equivalent to that used in the interlaboratory test

TABLE 1 Characteristics of Type 1020 Steel Reference Material

Annealed 15 min at 760°C (1400°F), air cooled.
Hardness: HRB = 70 6 2.

Chemical Composition:
C = 0.20 6 0.01 wt %
Mn = 0.45 6 0.10
S = 0.03 6 0.01
Si = 0.16 0.05
P = 0.01 6 0.01

permitted; however, adequate system characterization and

control of critical parameters are required. Deviations in nozzle
design and dimensions must be documented. Nozzle length to
diameter ratio should be 25:1 or greater in order to achieve an
acceptable particle velocity distribution in the stream. The
recommended nozzle5 consists of a tube about 1.5 mm inner
diameter, 50 mm long, manufactured from an erosion resistant
material such as WC, A12O3, and so forth. Erosion of the
nozzle during service shall be monitored and shall not exceed
10 % increase in the initial diameter.
6.2 Necessary features of the apparatus shall include a FIG. 2 Microstructure of 1020 Steel Reference Material
means of controlling and adjusting the particle impact velocity, ASTM Grain Size 9
particle flux, and the specimen location and orientation relative
to the impinging stream. series6 shall be tested periodically using specified (see Section
6.3 Various means can be provided for introducing particles 9) 50 µm A12O3 particles to verify the satisfactory performance
into the gas stream, including a vibrator-controlled hopper or a of the apparatus. It is recommended that performance be
screw-feed system. It is required that the system provide a verified using this reference material every 50 tests during a
uniform particle feed and that it be adjustable to accommodate measurement series, and also at the beginning of each new test
desired particle flow values. series whenever the apparatus has been idle for some time. The
6.4 A method to measure the particle velocity shall be recommended composition, heat treatment, and hardness range
available for use with the erosion equipment. Examples of for this steel are listed in Table 1. The use of a steel of different
accepted methods are high-speed photography (6), rotating composition may lead to different erosion results. A photomi-
double-disk (7), and laser velocimeter (8). Particle velocity crograph of the specified A12O3 particles is shown in Fig. 3.

5 6
A source for the recommended nozzle (tungsten carbide) is Kennametal, Inc., Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
Latrobe, PA. be obtained by requesting Research Report RR: G02–1003.

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 G 76 – 04
The range of erosion results to be expected for this steel under
the standard test conditions specified in Section 9 is shown in
Table 2 and is based on interlaboratory test results.6
8.2 Calibration at standard test conditions is recommended
even if the apparatus is operated at other test conditions.
8.3 In any test program the particle velocity and particle
feed rate shall be measured at frequent intervals, typically
every ten tests, to ensure constancy of conditions.
9. Standard Test Conditions
9.1 This test method defines the following standard condi-
tions.
9.1.1 The nozzle tube shall be 1.5 mm 6 0.075 mm inner
diameter at least 50 mm long.
9.1.2 The test gas shall be dry air, −50°C dew point or
lower.
9.1.3 The abrasive particles shall be nominal 50-µm angular
A12O3,7 equivalent to those used in the interlaboratory test
series (see Fig. 3). Abrasive shall be used only once.
9.1.4 The abrasive particle velocity shall be 30 6 2 m·s−1,
measured at the specimen location. At this velocity the gas flow

7
Aluminum oxide particles obtained from Norton Co., Worcester, MA as grade
240-grit alundum powder. Typical size distribution (determined by sedimentation):
FIG. 3 Photomicrograph of 50 µm A12O3 Particles Used in 100 % between 20 to 83 µm, 50 % between 42 to 57 µm, 50 % coarser than 48 µm.
Interlaboratory Testing

TABLE 2 Interlaboratory Test Results (Provisional)

Laboratory Number of Average Standard Deviation Deviation from Average
Test Conditions
Number Replicates (.001 mm3/g) (.001 mm3/g) (.001 mm3/g)
Condition A: 1 9 2.240 0.420 −0.494
1020 steel, 2 9 3.130 0.130 0.396
50 µm Al2O3, 3 10 2.130 0.068 −0.604
30 m/s, 90° 4 10 3.720 0.680 0.986
2 g/min 5 10 2.450 0.660 −0.284
5 9.600 2.734 0.468 0.807
Number Average Average Within-Laboratory Between-Laboratory
Standard Deviation Standard Deviation
(Provisional)
Coefficient of Variation (%) = 17.1 29.5
95 % Limits = 1.31 2.26
Within-Laboratory Between-Laboratory
Condition B: 1 8 31.500 1.100 3.340
1020 steel, 2 8 23.200 0.040 −4.960
50 µm Al2O3, 3 8 22.900 0.900 −5.260
70 m/s, 90° 4 4 32.400 0.650 4.240
2 g/min 5 8 30.800 1.500 2.640
5 7.200 28.160 0.969 4.786
Number Average Average Within-Laboratory Between-Laboratory
Standard Deviation Standard Deviation
(Provisional)

Coefficient of Variation (%) = 3.4 17.0

95 % Limits = 2.71 13.40
Within-Laboratory Between-Laboratory
Condition C: 1 8 40.000 1.300 7.640
304 stainless steel, 2 8 25.400 0.120 −6.960
50 µm Al2O3, 3 8 26.300 0.780 −6.060
70 m/s, 90° 4 4 38.000 1.200 5.640
2 g/min 5 8 32.100 3.000 −0.260
5 7.200 32.360 1.597 6.786
Number Average Average Within-Laboratory Between-Laboratory
Standard Deviation Standard Deviation
(Provisional)
Coefficient of Variation (%) = 4.9 21.0
95 % Limits = 4.47 19.00
Within-Laboratory Between-Laboratory

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 G 76 – 04
rate will be approximately 8 L·min−1 and the system pressure surface scale is removed. A surface roughness of 1 µm (40 µin.)
will be approximately 140 kPa (20 psig) although the pressure rms or smaller is recommended. Clean the specimen surface
will depend on the specific system design. carefully.9 Weigh on an analytical balance to 60.01 mg.10
9.1.5 The test time shall be 10 min to achieve steady state 11.3 Mount the specimen in proper location and orientation
conditions. Longer times are permissible so long as the final in the apparatus. Subject the specimen to particle impingement
erosion crater is no deeper than 1 mm. for a selected time interval, measured to an accuracy of 5 s.
9.1.6 The angle between the nozzle axis and the specimen Remove the specimen, clean carefully,9 reweigh and calculate
surface shall be 90 6 2°. the mass loss.
9.1.7 The test temperature shall be the normal ambient 11.4 Repeat this process to determine at least four points for
value (typically between 18°C to 28°C). a total time of at least 10 min and plot those values as mass loss
9.1.8 The particle feed rate shall be 2.0 6 0.5 g·min−1. This versus elapsed time. Suitable times would be 2, 4, 8, and 16
corresponds to a particle flux at the specimen surface of about min for a material such as Type 1020 steel. Steady state erosion
2 mg·mm−2·s−1 under standard conditions. Particle flux deter- should result after 1 to 2 min, depending on the material. Two
mination requires measurement of the eroded area on the examples of measured erosion versus time curves are shown in
specimen and is subject to considerable error. A measured Fig. 5.
width and depth profile of an erosion crater produced using
stated conditions is shown in Fig. 4 and indicates a typical

FIG. 4 Example of Erosion Crater Profile for 1020 Steel Eroded at

70 m/s Particle Velocity Using Standard Conditions Otherwise

eroded width/depth relation.

9.1.9 The distance from specimen surface to nozzle end
shall be 10 6 1 mm.
10. Optional Test Conditions
10.1 When test conditions or materials other than those
given in Section 9 are used, reference to this test method shall
clearly specify all test conditions and materials. It should be FIG. 5 Two Examples of Erosion versus Time for Type 1020 Steel
at 30 m·s−1 and 70 m·s−1
noted that other conditions, for example, larger particle veloci-
ties, may adversely affect measurement precision.
11. Test Procedure 11.5 The steady state erosion rate (see Terminology G 40) is
11.1 Establish and measure the particle velocity and particle determined from the slope of the mass loss versus time plot.
flow specified. Adjust equipment controls to obtain proper The average erosion value is calculated by dividing erosion
velocity and flow conditions before inserting test specimens. rate (mg·min−1) by the abrasive flow rate (g·min−1) and then
Particle flow rate values are determined by collecting8 and dividing by the specimen density (g·cm−3). Report the average
subsequently weighing the abrasive exiting from the nozzle for erosion value as (mm3·g−1).
a measured time period. 11.6 Repeat 11.1 at the end of a series of tests (typically
11.2 Prepare the specimen surface if required to achieve every 10 tests) and more frequently if necessary.
uniformity and adequate finish. Grinding through a series of
abrasive papers to 400 grit is usually adequate so long as all
9
Important considerations in cleaning include surface oils or greases, surface
rust or corrosion, adhering abrasive particles, etc.
8
Particles may be collected by directing the flow from the nozzle into a large 10
Erosion weight loss determinations to 60.1 mg may be sufficient for particle
vented container. Care must be taken to avoid causing any significant back pressure velocities above 70 m·s−1 or sufficiently long exposure times which lead to weight
on the nozzle as this will disturb the system flow conditions. losses greater than 10 mg.

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 G 76 – 04
12. Report 12.4 Any special occurrences or observations during testing
12.1 The test report shall include the following information: should be noted.
12.1.1 Material identification: type, chemical specification,
heat and processing treatment, hardness, and density. Process- 13. Precision and Bias
ing conditions shall include method of casting (such as chill or 13.1 Absolute values of erosion rates of materials are
sand); method of forming (such as forging or pressing and generally not available because of the wide range of possible
sintering); and the percent of ideal density (important for exposure conditions. The erosion measurement conditions
ceramics and powder metallurgy alloys).
established by this practice are designed to facilitate obtaining
12.1.2 Specimens: method of preparing and cleaning speci-
precise, reproducible data applicable to the test conditions
mens, initial surface roughness, and number tested.
employed. Interlaboratory test results utilizing this practice on
12.1.3 Eroding particle identification: size distribution,
shape, composition, purity, source, and manufacturing method. well-characterized metal are given in Table 2. Examples of
Provide photograph of typical collection of particles. Refer- 95 % confidence limits for three erosion test conditions are
ence (9) can be consulted for information on methods of shown in Table 2. For Condition A, a statement of precision
characterization. would be: average erosion was 2.73 3 10−3 mm 3/g; 95 %
12.1.4 Test conditions: particle velocity (average) and repeatability limit was 1.31 3 10 −3 mm3/g; 95 % reproduc-
method of determination, specimen orientation relative to the ibility limit was 2.26 3 10 −3 mm3/g.
impinging stream, particle flow, particle flux, eroded area (size, 13.2 No bias can be assigned to this test method since there
shape), temperature of the specimen and particles and carrier is no absolute accepted value for erosion rate.
gas, test duration, method of determining steady-state erosion 13.3 General Considerations—Participants in the interlabo-
conditions, carrier gas composition, and method of determining ratory testing that led to the statements of precision and bias
the mass of abrasive used. given above involve five laboratories, two different materials,
12.1.5 Description of the test equipment. two test conditions, and five replicate measurements each.
12.1.6 Tabulation of erosion value and standard deviation
Subsequent to this testing, described in Research Report #
for each specimen reported as a volume loss of material per
G02–1003 that is available from ASTM, data were received
unit mass of abrasive (mm3·g−1).
from another laboratory that utilized a commercial test ma-
12.2 Each test program shall include among the materials
tested a reference material tested under the same conditions to chine. Those data were found consistent with the results of the
permit calculation and report of the normalized erosion rate. A interlaboratory study and will be included in the research
suitable reference material would be Type 1020 steel (see Table report.
1).
12.3 The report shall state clearly whether testing was done 14. Keywords
at standard conditions, shall itemize any deviations from those 14.1 erosion; erosion rate; gas jet; metal erosion; solid
conditions, and shall indicate the frequency of calibration using particle
reference materials.

REFERENCES

(1) Young, J. P., and Ruff, A. W., Journal of Engineering Materials and (7) Ninham, A.J., and Hutchins, I.M., Proceedings of the 6th Interna-
Technology, Transactions of ASME, Vol 99, 1977, pp. 121–125. tional Conference on Erosion by Liquid and Solid Impact (Univ. of
(2) Hansen, J. S., in Erosion: Prevention and Useful Applications, Adler, Cambridge, 1983) pp. 50-51.
W. F., ed., ASTM STP 664, 1979, pp. 148–162. (8) Barkalow, R. H., Goebel, J. A., and Pettit, F. S., in Erosion: Prevention
(3) Finnie, I., Levy, A., and McFadden, D. H., in Erosion: Prevention and and Useful Applications, Adler, W. F., ed., ASTM STP 664, 1979, pp.
Useful Applications, Adler, W. F., ed., ASTM STP 664, 1979, pp. 163–192.
36–58.
(4) Wood, F.W., Journal of Testing and Evaluation, 14, 1986. (9) Allen, T., Particle Size Measurement, Chapman and Hall, London,
(5) Preece, C. M., ed., Erosion: Treatise on Materials Science and 1974.
Technology, Vol 16 Academic Press, New York, NY, 1979. (10) Ponnaganti, V., Stock, D.E., and Sheldon, G.L., Proceedings on
(6) Finnie, I., Wolak, J., and Kabil, Y., Journal of Materials, Vol 2, 1967, Symposium Polyphase Flow and Transport Tech. (ASME) NY, 1980
pp. 682–700. pp 195-199.

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 G 76 – 04

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