Effect of Erodent Particle Hardness on Velocity Exponent in Erosion of Steels and Cast Irons

Abstract

This article reports the effect of hardness of erodent particles on velocity exponent of some weld deposited alloys. Three steels and two alloy cast irons were selected for the present investigation. The bulk hardness of the alloys was in the range of 300 to 800 HV, whereas erodnet particles were having hardness in the range of 400 to 1875 HV. Erosion tests were conducted with 125–150 µm cement clinker, 125–150 µm blast furnace sinter, 100–150 µm silica sand, and 125–150 µm alumina particles and at impingement angles of 30° and 90° and with impingement velocities in the range of 25 to 120 m sec−1. The erosion rate showed power-law dependence on impingement velocity, E = k V n , where kis a constant and nis the velocity exponent. The velocity exponents obtained in the present work were in the range of 1.91 to 2.52. The velocity exponent showed an increasing trend with increasing hardness of the alloys irrespective of the hardness of the erodent particles and the impingement angle. The velocity exponent increased with increasing hardness of erodent particles, irrespective of the impingement angle and hardness of the alloys. The velocity exponents obtained in the present work were rationalized with respect to erodent particle properties, material properties and erosion mechanisms.