Development of synergy model for erosion-corrosion of carbon steel in a slurry pot

A semi-empirical model (model 1) has been developed for synergy of corrosion dominated, non-passivating, erosion-corrosion of carbon steel in a slurry pot, developed from a stripping and recovery model to yield an expression for enhanced corrosion due to erosion damage revealing the underlying oxide-free surface. Dynamic Hertzian contact mechanics is used to model damage during erodent particle impact, as well as the incorporation of squeeze film and collision efficiency effects. The model also accommodates the effect of the erodent deforming the surface leading to increased corrosion activity. Experimental erosion data appear to be consistent with classical erosion behaviour as predicted by the kinetic energy of the erodent model. The experimental erosion-corrosion data show a more complex relationship due to the action of corrosion and its interaction with erosion, ranging from corrosion dominant to an equal influence of erosion and corrosion. Comparisons between modelled and experimental data indicate the nascent surface has a corrosion activity ranging from 30 to 100 times that of the unaffected surface, depending on experimental parameter studied. An empirical approach (model 2) indicates that experimental synergy correlates with a medium synergy level. This model (model 1) represents a step towards modelling the complex interactions of erosion and corrosion.