LAUSR

Polymeric coatings are used to protect concrete hydropower structures from damage by particle-laden, fast-moving water. In this research, a new experimental method is proposed to simulate this tribosystem. Test materials are submerged in an agitated vessel containing basalt particles and abraded for a fixed time. This paper describes the use of this test to screen polyurea coatings of various types of hardness. The use of such test on rubbers is also described. Results present that the wear process of the polyurea is stable and the wear loss is linear with the erosion time. When the hardness of the polyurea or seal rubber increases, the erosion resistance indicates a downward trend and the surface becomes smooth from rough. A polyurea hardness of Shore D30 and a seal rubber hardness of Shore A70 produce the best slurry erosion resistance. The erosion resistance of the polyurea is much better than that of the high-performance concrete. If the wear thickness is regarded as the evaluation indicator, then the erosion resistance of the polyurea of Shore D30 is approximately 60 times more than that of the high-performance concrete.