Effect of solution treatment on slurry erosive wear performance of martensitic and nitrogen strengthened austenitic stainless steel

•Nitronic steel (21-4 N) has higher erosion resistance than Martensitic (CA6NM).•Erosion resistance of 21-4 N and CA6NM steels was improved by solution treatment.•Nitrogen improves the strain hardening ability of Nitronic steel.•Higher hardness of target surface results in higher erosion resistance.•Ploughing, micro-cutting and deformation were main wear mechanisms.