THE SOLID PARTICLE AND CAVITATION EROSION OF TITANIUM ALUMINIDE INTERMETALLIC ALLOYS

The mode of material removal during solid particle erosion and cavitation erosion of rolled super alpha(2) and plasma are-melted gamma titanium aluminide alloys have been investigated. These low density, high strength materials have potential application in turbine engine components, where the service conditions are potentially erosive, and there is a consequent interest in the erosion behaviour. Particle erosion tests were performed using an air blast rig, and vibratory equipment with a stationary specimen were used to investigate the cavitation erosion performance. Erosion rates were measured and characteristic damage features were identified on the surface of eroded specimens. The mechanisms of erosion are discussed in order to explain the promising performance of the materials in erosive conditions.