Erosion-corrosion regimes : number, nomenclature and justification?

In studies of elevated temperature erosion by solid particles in oxidizing gaseous environments, several regimes of interaction have been identified. These regimes define whether wastage occurs predominantly due to erosion of the alloy substrate, corrosion of the substrate, or a mechanism intermediate between these processes, and various criteria for the transitions between such regimes have been identified by different investigators. In such cases, the possible number and nomenclature of regimes can sometimes be unclear. The purpose of this paper is to review all the available information on the various erosion-corrosion regimes which have been identified. The similarities and the differences between the various approaches to defining regimes are discussed. In addition, the criteria for their identification are evaluated critically. The importance of the identification of such regimes is discussed. The use of such information to establish zones of minimum wastage on erosion-corrosion maps is demonstrated. In addition, the ability of such regimes to identify variations in erosion-corrosion rate with the main erosion-corrosion variables is indicated