Investigations on solid particle erosion behaviour of ferritic steels, austenitic steel and low carbon steel and correlation of erosion data with erosion model

Abstract

Solid particle erosion behaviour of ferritic stainless steels AISI 444 and 439, austenitic stainless steel AISI 304 and low carbon steel AISI 1010 were investigated. Erosion studies of these materials were conducted at room temperature using silica sand of size 150-300 μm. The influence of erosion rates due to different velocities (40-85 m/s) and impingement angle (15-90°) were experimentally analysed. Erosion efficiency values (0.7-3.6%) indicate that erosion occurs by lip or platelet formation in the material. The present study reveals that the peak in the erosion rate for AISI 444, AISI 439 and AISI 304 occurs at about 30° impingement angle while that for AISI 1010 at about 45° impingement angle. Hutchings' normal erosion model was also examined. Scanning electron microscope studies were conducted to analyse the surface morphology of the tested samples under erosion condition. Variations in microstructure and micro hardness of the material due to solid particle erosion on the materials were also discussed. Copyright © IMechE 2012.