Effect of ion nitriding on the erosion resistance of blade steels and stellite.

The article considers the results of metallographic studies and endurance tests with regards to droplet impact erosion of nitrided samples of 12Kh13, 20Kh13, 15Kh11MF, and EI961 blade steels, as well as stellite. Data on the effect of ion-plasma nitriding of the surface on the erosion resistance of the tested blade steels are presented. The authors consider the prospects of using the applied hardening method as alternative passive protection of the rotor blades of wet-steam turbine stages or a method of a joint application of nitriding with widely used stellite overlays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]