Craters due to impact and abrasive erosion are experimentally analysed by means of different techniques: hardness, roughness are measured, SEM micrographs and replicas, and contour maps, surface measurements and 3D topography by a Form Talisurf are made.

SEM micrographs, in the erosion case gives an idea of the eroding jet motion and wear mechanisms. 2D Topography permits to see the damage evolution. From theoretical study of these profile a criterium is proposed for anticipating the damage increasing depending on eroded part and erodent materials together with parameters as environment, jet speed, etc.