Representative volume element-based simulation of multiple solid particles erosion of a compressor blade considering temperature effect

Abstract

Solid particle erosion is one of the main failure mechanisms of a compressor blade. Thus, characterization of this damage mode is very important in life assessment of the compressor. Since experimental study of solid particle erosion needs special methods and equipment, it is necessary to develop erosion computer models. This study presents a coupled temperature–displacement finite element model to investigate damage of a compressor blade due to multiple solid particles erosion. To decrease the computational cost, a representative volume element technique is introduced to simulate simultaneous impact of multiple particles. Blade has been made of Ti-6Al-4V, a ductile titanium-based alloy, which is impacted by alumina particles. Erosion finite element modeling is assumed as a micro-scale impact problem and Johnson–Cook constitutive equations are used to describe Ti-6Al-4V erosive behavior. In regard to a wide variation range in thermal conditions all over the compressor, it is divided into three parts (first stages, middle stages, and last stages) in which each part has an average temperature. Effective parameters on erosive behavior of the blade alloy, such as impact angle, particles velocity, and particles size are studied in these three temperatures. Results show that middle stages are the most critical sites of the compressor in terms of erosion damage. An exponential relation is observed between erosion rate and particles velocity. The dependency of erosion rate on size of particles at high temperatures is indispensable.