Investigation of erosion mechanism of low alloy steel in a vented combustor

Abstract In the present study, the erosion mechanism of low alloy steel has been investigated at simulated conditions close to the actual working environment within artillery barrels by using a vented combustor. The erosion rate is strongly dependent on heat input as tested with burst disks, whilst the testing with pseudo-projectiles is associated with additional thermo-mechanical loading from engraving and projectile-bore friction. A detailed investigation of the bore surface reveals that erosion is closely related to plastic deformation and oxidation of low alloy steel at a relatively high level of pressure, whilst the redeposition of erosion products on the bore surface takes place at low pressure. The use of a vented combustor has demonstrated a significant potential for a rapid screening process of barrel materials with superior anti-erosion properties.