Erosion of Metals by High Pressure Combustion Gases: Inert and Reactive Erosion

An experimental and theoretical investigation of the erosion of various metals by high temperature, high pressure flows of combustion gases is described. The erosion process was categorized as either inert or a combination of inert and reactive erosion. Experimental results indicated the existence of two thresholds, the first represents the onset of erosion and the second the transition from purely inert to inert plus reactive erosion. Inert erosion was modeled by means of the melt and wipe-off theory. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate various erosion regimes and to identify the conditions for inert and reactive erosion.