Based on two-phase flow theory and empirical formula

a two-dimensional axisymmetric carbon-based nozzle model was established to investigate the mechanical erosion characteristics

with consideration of evaporation and reaction of droplets. Results obtained from computations with distributions of droplets trajectories and mechanical erosion were described for the 15-lb BATES engine nozzle. The effects of Al mass fraction of propellant and chamber pressure on mechanical erosion were investigated. Results show that the calculated result of maximum mechanical erosion rate is 55μm/s

which falls within the range of experimental results. Al/Al2O3 mixed droplet is the main factor of the mechanical erosion

Al droplets cannot hit the nozzle wall due to rapid evaporation and oxidation. The erosion occurs in the nozzle convergent section

with the peak located upstream the throat

while no mechanical erosion exists in throat and expand zone. The increasement of Al mass fraction shows no significant regularity effect on the mechanical erosion rate. The erosion rate has a superlinear relationship with the chamber pressure.