A MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR ABRASIVE EROSION WEAR IN COMPOSITE FE-BASED MATRIX WITH WC-CO REINFORCEMENT

This paper presents a new functional-computational model for metal-matrix composites (MMC), specifically for coatings with coarse spherical WC-Co reinforcement. We have developed, simulated and optimized the model based on previous classical approximations. The experimental data to validate this model are the laboratory tribotest-abrasion measurements and complementary appropriate numerical reports published internationally. Programming software was designed both with nonlinear optimization and curve-fitting subroutines. Results comprise the model construction from theory to computational validation on the laboratory statistical and numerical database. Additional simulations/optimization related to other models are also shown together with conceptual details of the next generation of functional models.