Room temperature erosion behaviour of 304, 316 and 410 stainless steels

Abstract

The main purpose of this investigation is to compare the room temperature erosion behaviour of three stainless steels, namely 304, 316 and 410 SS. Towards this purpose, the erosion rates of all three stainless steels have been determined at three impact angles (30°, 60° and 90°) and at two impact velocities (98 and 129 m s⁻¹) for each angle. The results indicate that while the erosion rates of 304 and 316 SS are comparable, that of 410 SS is lower by 15%-20%. The improved erosion resistance of 410 SS, in spite of its lower ductility and strain-hardening capacity as compared with 304 and 316 SS, appears to be related to the fact that the depth to which plastic deformation extends beneath the eroded surface (L) is significantly lower in 410 SS and also to the presence of a "soft zone" beneath the eroded surface.