Preliminary investigation of slurry erosion behaviour of tantalum

Frequent premature failure of the ISIS spallation neutron source target prompted investigation previously unexplored aqueous slurry erosion response pure tantalum (Ta) with an overarching aim to improve service life target; hence, reducing disposal radioactive waste. Understanding such Ta is highly significant many other applications as nuclear and chemical processing. In this study, powder-metallurgically manufactured was investigated help impinging jet apparatus using silicon carbide particles at a range concentration, impact velocity, incident angle. Results revealed unique material removal mechanism consisting formation extensive voids/cavities all over eroded surface. These mechanisms are discussed considering theories solid particle grain boundary sliding behaviour under localised indentation loading.