Cavitation Erosion-Corrosion Behavior of Fe-Cr Steel Induced by Ultrasonic Vibration

Abstract

A resistance of cavitation erosion-corrosion of the AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel was evaluated in this study. The cavitation resistance of this stainless steel has been examined using an ultrasonic vibratory method by applying water-voltage combination effect. The curves of cumulative material loss and erosion rate were attained and discussed. In addition, surface topography and scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs have been utilized to characterize the eroded surface after the cavitation test. The results have been compared with previously obtained results for the AISI 1040 steel. The cavitation results showed that the AISI 420 steel has exhibited the better resistance to cavitation comparing with the AISI 1040 steel under the similar test conditions. The total cumulative material loss of the AISI 420 was approximately three times less than that of the AISI 1040. Surface topography and SEM micrographs showed that the severity of damage of the AISI 1040 was found to be a higher compared to that of the AISI 420 steel.