Size scale effect in cavitation erosion

An overview and data analyses pertaining to cavitation erosion size scale effects are presented. The exponents n in the power law relationship are found to vary from 1.7 to 4.9 for venturi and rotating disk devices supporting the values reported in the literature. Suggestions for future studies were made to arrive at further true scale effects

Spherical micro-glass particle impingement studies of thermoplastic materials at normal incidence

Light optical and scanning electron microscope studies were conducted to characterize the erosion resistance of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE). Erosion was caused by a jet of spherical micro-glass beads at normal impact. During the initial stages of damage, the surfaces of these materials were studied using a profilometer. Material buildup above the original surface was observed on PC and PMMA. As erosion progressed, this buildup disappeared as the pit became deeper. Little or no buildup was observed on PTFE and on UHMWPE. UHMWPE and PTFE are the most resistant materials and PMMA the least. Favorable properties for high erosion resistance seem to be high values of ultimate elongation, and strain energy and a low value of the modulus of elasticity. Erosion-rate-versus-time curves of PC and PTFE exhibit incubation, acceleration and steady state periods. A continuously increasing erosion rate period was observed however for PMMA instead of a steady state period. At early stages of damage and at low impact pressure material removal mechanisms appear to be similar to those for metallic materials

Empirical relations for cavitation and liquid impingement erosion processes

A unified power-law relationship between average erosion rate and cumulative erosion is presented. Extensive data analyses from venturi, magnetostriction (stationary and oscillating specimens), liquid drop, and jet impact devices appear to conform to this relation. A normalization technique using cavitation and liquid impingement erosion data is also presented to facilitate prediction. Attempts are made to understand the relationship between the coefficients in the power-law relationships and the material properties

Morphology of an aluminum alloy eroded by a jet of angular particles impinging at normal incidence

The erosion of an aluminum alloy impinged by crushed glass particles at normal incidence was studied. The erosion patterns were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and surface profilometer measurements. From the analysis of specimens tested at various driving gas pressures and time intervals, four distinct erosion regions were identified. A study of pit morphology and its relationship to cumulative erosion was made. Cutting wear is believed to be the predominant material removal mechanism; some evidence of deformation wear was found during the incubation period

Solid spherical glass particle impingement studies of plastic materials

Erosion experiments on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were conducted with spherical glass beads impacting at normal incidence. Optical and scanning electron microscopic studies and surface profile measurements were made on specimens at predetermined test intervals. During the initial stage of damage to PMMA and polycarbonate, material expands or builds up above the original surface. However, this buildup disappears as testing progresses. Little or no buildup was observed on PTFE. PTFE is observed to be the most resistant material to erosion and PMMA the least. At low impact pressures, material removal mechanisms are believed to be similar to those for metallic materials. However, at higher pressures, surface melting is indicated at the center of impact. Deformation and fatigue appear to play major roles in the material removal process with possible melting or softening

A study of the nature of solid particle impact and shape on the erosion morphology of ductile metals

Impulsive versus steady jet impingement of spherical glass bead particles on metal surfaces was studied using a gas gun facility and a commercial sand blasting apparatus. Crushed glass particles were also used in the sand blasting apparatus as well as glass beads. Comparisons of the different types of erosion patterns were made. Scanning electron microscopy, surface profilometry and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis were used to characterize erosion patterns. The nature of the wear can be divided into cutting and deformation, each with its own characteristic features. Surface chemistry analysis indicates the possibility of complex chemical and/or mechanical interactions between erodants and target materials

Efficiency Ranking of IT Service-Producing Firms: Case of Indian Multinationals

Production functions often study the output of physical products with capital and labor inputs. Instead, we use 2004 to 2016 data for 55 In- dian multinational companies to assess the production of services. Our estimates of flexible production functions yield estimates of scale elasticity (SCE) and elasticity of substitution (EOS) for pooled data. A subset of 31 companies with relatively complete data yields their individual SCE and EOS values, revealing their heterogeneity. Sorting the 31 companies by their SCE help name scale-efficient (high SCE) and scale inefficient (low SCE) multinationals. Similarly, a listing of 31 companies sorted by EOS allows us to name companies that are (and are not) robust to input price shocks. Using stock market data on these publicly traded companies, we report the values of three stock market criteria for top ranking companies by SCE. We also study empirical causal paths from the market criteria to EOS and SCE, suggesting that SCE and EOS do drive stock market indicators implying efficient markets. Our pooled and detailed results are relevant for government policy toward the IT sector and corporate governance issues