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Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) are extensively known for their higher strength and stiffness at lower weight compared to traditional materials. They are extensively used in numerous engineering applications. Utilization of these materials had been extended to novel areas where it is essential to study their tribological performance. Several research works reported the tribological performance of polymer composites. The aim of the review is to provide broad information on erosion behaviour of polymeric composites. Attention is paid towards the effect of test parameters i.e. impact velocity, erodent characteristics, impingement angle on the erosion wear rate and their failure mechanisms were discussed. Inclusion of various fillers in to polymeric composites enriched the erosion resistance property that attracted the researchers to find out their application. However limited literature were available on the erosion behaviour of particle filled composites. Hence, another objective is to review available literature on the erosion response of filled composites.

A substantial increase in research activity on functionally graded materials (FGMs) was foreseen in the past few decades owing to their high strength and stiffness, design flexibility, and multi-functional features. However, the majority of the literature was confined to uni-directional (1D) gradation in material constituents. As a result, their usage was limited to a few advanced applications such as aircraft frames and shuttles, propulsion systems, and machine elements wherein the temperature is distributed along two or more directions. Thus, there is a demand for FGM that shows property variations in bi (2D) or tri (3D) directions. The present research work is an attempt made to design and develop bi-directional functionally graded material (2D FGM) with aluminum (Al) and copper particles. A 2D FGM sample in the form of a rectangular slab having material variation along x and y directions was produced through powder metallurgy using a 3D-printed cuboid. Variations in microstructure and hardness confirm the material gradation in two directions. Change in erosion wear at different locations was also observed on the sample. Furthermore, worn-out surfaces using scanning electron micrographs revealed a ductile fracture.

The aim of this research is to evaluate the mechanical and erosion characteristics of stepped polymeric functionally graded materials (PFGMs) reinforced with aluminum particles. By varying the filler content, gradation is achieved along the sample's thickness direction. Three distinct methodologies were adopted in the fabrication of PFGMs; no curing time between the layers (M1), providing curing time between the layers at room temperature (M2) and thermal curing between the layers at 60 C (M3). The results showed that tensile strength and compressive strength of sample M3 increased by 30.3%, 20.8% and 10.3%, 5% as compared to M1 and M2 respectively. The flexural strength of M3 was enhanced by 9% when load direction was from top to bottom (T-B) than from bottom to top (B-T). Moreover, the erosion resistance of M3 was higher among all the test samples.