Estimation of Abrasive Wear of Brass Alloy Impeller

Abstract

Abrasive wear is an engineering problem that occurs in the impeller of centrifugal water pumps. The weight loss in the impeller due to abrasive wear leads to a reduction in the efficiency of pumps. If the wear rate can be estimated, the pump impeller can be replaced at the perfect time. The aim of the present experimental study is to investigate the abrasive wear of brass alloy in sand-water mixture. In this study, a mixture of sand-tap water was used with three mixing ratios (1:40, 1:80 and 1:120) and four different sand particles sizes (0.15 mm, 0.297 mm, 0.6 mm and 1.19 mm). A set of brass alloy impellers was used to estimate the abrasive wear rate when tested at five periods. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the sand particles size and sand-tap water mixture ratios have a direct effect on the wear rate of the impeller and water pump head.