Hi all
I think its a combination of many things when it comes to the sand/dust in the ME. The sand part of the sand/dust does have abrasion qualities mentioned, but the dust has similar qualities to ash with regards to effects on aviation turbine engines-in particular the blocking of pneumatic system filters, blocking of cooling holes or cavities in turbine sections and silica deposits on turbine blades.
But because there is sand and dust, the sand part abrades what is slowly deposited onto turbine blades....that and the fact that if it were measured in parts per million (ppm) the sand/dust compared with flying through an ash cloud you would find to be very different.
Just my 2 cents worth
