Abstract: Applicants have identified and unexpected mechanism which contributes to solid particle erosion of the trailing edge of spaced apart aerodynamically shaped nozzle partitions in an axial fluid flow turbine. Particles entrained in the fluid flow pass through passages between nozzle partitions, strike rotating buckets and rebound upstream to impinge upon the suction side of the nozzle partitions in the trailing edge region. Accordingly, a nozzle partition includes a protection device disposed over at least a portion of the suction side of the nozzle partition, preferably from the trailing edge to the throat, for preventing solid particle erosion of the partition.