Solid Particle Erosion Properties of Hot-Dip Aluminized Economizer Steel Tube

In this paper, durability evaluation and surface damage mechanism were investigated through solid particle erosion (SPE) test after applying hot-dip aluminizing (HDA) technology for the purpose of maintenance of marine economizer tube. Damaged surface shape was analyzed using SEM and 3D microscope. Compositional changes and microstructure of the HDA layer were analyzed through EDS and XRD. Durability was evaluated by analyzing weight loss and surface damage depth after SPE. HDA was confirmed to have a two-layer structure of Al and Al₅Fe₂. HDA+HT was made into a single alloy layer of Al₅Fe₂ by diffusion treatment. In the microstructure of HDA+HT, void and crack defect were induced during the crystal phase transformation process. The SPE damage mechanism depends on material properties. Plastic deformation occurred in the substrate and HDA due to ductility, whereas weight loss due to brittleness occurred significantly in HDA+HT. As a result, the substrate and HDA showed better SPE resistance than HDA+HT