Erosion of oxide scales formed on Cr3C2–NiCr thermal spray coatings

Cr3C2–NiCr thermal spray coatings are extensively used to mitigate high temperature erosive wear in fluidised bed combustors and power generation/transport turbines. The aim of this work was to characterise the variation in oxide erosion response as a function of the Cr3C2–NiCr coating microstructure. Erosion was carried out at 700 °C and 800 °C with erodent impact velocities of 225–235 m/s. The erosion behaviour of the oxide scales formed on these coatings, was influenced by the coating microstructure and erosion temperature. Development of the carbide microstructure with extended heat treatment lead to variations in the erosion–corrosion response of the Cr3C2–NiCr coatings.