Apparatus and Method to Test Abrasion Resistance of Material Using Airborne Particulate

Prior art techniques for testing abrasion resistance, such as the Taber test and the Bayer test, typically use a rubbing or scratching mechanism to test materials for abrasion resistance; specifically, either an abrasive material is rubbed across the test sample surface, or the test sample is rubbed against an abrasive surface. While these tests do provide valuable data, they do not accurately or reliably predict resistance to impact damage from wind-borne particulate matter. These prior art techniques are typically used to test hard protective coatings to determine their resistance to scratching; however, such protective coatings are prone to shattering upon impact of a fast-moving object, such as a grain of sand.