What is a primary characteristic of erosive wear?

Erosive wear primarily occurs when materials are subjected to high-velocity particles or fluids, leading to localized impacts that result in material loss. This phenomenon is characterized by high-pressure impacts that cause the surface of the material to gradually wear away in specific, targeted areas.

In applications where erosive wear is a concern, such as in turbines or pipelines that handle abrasive materials, understanding this characteristic is crucial for predicting failure and determining appropriate materials and protective measures. The localized nature of these impacts distinguishes erosive wear from other forms of wear or degradation where the process might be more uniform or diffuse in nature.

Other characteristics like slow degradation or surface cracking do not adequately capture the immediate and intense effects of erosive wear, and while heat accumulation can occur in various wear processes, it does not define erosive wear specifically. Hence, the focus on high-pressure impacts successfully encapsulates the essence of erosive wear.