Computer simulation of erosion–corrosion of a non-passive alloy using a micro-scale dynamic model

A micro-scale dynamic model was extended to simulate erosion–corrosion proceses. In this model, a material system is discretized and mapped onto a discrete lattice. Each lattice site represents a small volume of the target material or of a solid particle. During solid-particle erosion in a corrosive solution, a lattice site may move under the influence of impingement between an ejected solid particle and the target material as well as the interaction between the site and its adjacent sites. The lattice site and bonds connecting this site to its neighbors dissolve if they are exposed to the corrosive solution. The site–site interaction is a function of mechanical properties of the material, including elastic modulus, yield strength, work hardening, fracture strain, and the dissolution rate of the material in the corrosive solution. The dissolution rate is influenced by deformation of the target material. A site or a cluster of sites can be worn away if all bonds connecting the site or the cluster to its adjacent sites are broken. A site may also be destroyed if it completely dissolves in the solution. In this study, erosion–corrosion of 1045 carbon steel in a HCl solution was modeled, in which no passivation was involved. Relevant experiments were performed. Consistence between the modeling and experimental observation has been found.