On the role of strain hardening and mechanical properties in water droplet erosion of metals

Abstract

The role of strain hardening on the resistance of metals to water droplet erosion is investigated for the first time. A stainless steel (17–4PH) was heat treated to various conditions to achieve different sets of mechanical properties. Erosion tests were then performed at 250 and 300 m/s impact speeds and incubation time and erosion rate were measured. It was found that higher strain hardening is conducive to higher erosion resistance as demonstrated by longer incubation time. Strain hardening was also found to dictate the influence of other mechanical properties, such as yield strength and resilience, on the initial stages of erosion. It is concluded that erosion resistance is a synergistic combination of mechanical properties that includes a stain hardening parameter.