The Influence of Material Type and Hardness on the Number of Embedded Abrasive Particles during Airborne-Particle Abrasion

(1) Background: This paper aims to determine the influence of hardness on the number of abrasive material grains (SiC) embedded on the surface metal alloys and ZrO(2) during abrasion. (2) Methods: Cylindrical samples were created: 315 made of Cr/Co, Ni/Cr or Ti, and 315 made of sintered ZrO(2)- 3TPZ-Y. These were divided into four groups (each n = 35 samples), and were treated with SiC grain sizes 50, 110, and 250 µm at pressures 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6 MPa. The samples were then observed in SEM to study SE and BSE. The surface coverage of abrasive material particles was determined by quantitative metallography. Five samples from each group were subjected to hardness measurements. The results were compared with three-factor variance analysis with using the post hoc Tukey test. (3) Results: The highest amount (40.06) of embedded abrasive was obtained for Ti alloy with a gradation of 250µm at a pressure of 0.6 MPa. The smallest amount of embedded grain (2.66) was obtained for ZrO(2) for the same treatment parameters. (4) Conclusions: The amount of embedded abrasive particles depends on the type of treated material, gradation particles, and the amount of applied pressure. Harder treated materials are more resistant to grains of abrasive becoming embedded on surface.