Effect of temperature on the cavitation erosion of cast iron

Abstract

Vibratory cavitation erosion tests of gray cast iron, together with tests of tool steel and 316 stainless steel for comparison, were performed at various water temperatures and horn amplitudes under a suppression pressure of 1 bar. The erosion processes for cast iron under the highest temperatures used (200 and 230 [deg]F, i.e. 93 and 110 [deg]C) are similar to those at room temperature. For each of the materials tested, the maximum weight loss rate increases, shows a peak and then decreases with increasing temperature. However, the maximum damage temperature for cast iron decreases with amplitude, i.e. 200, 170 and 160 [deg]F (93, 77 and 71 [deg]C) for double-horn amplitudes of 1.0 x 10-3, 1.38 x 10-3 and 1.78 x 10-3 in (25.4, 35.1 and 45.2 [mu]m). The peak for tool steel and 316 stainless steel occurs at 160 [deg]F (71 [deg]C) regardless of amplitude. Liquid temperature effects for cast iron erosion were explained by considering the interrelation between corrosive action and mechanical action due to cavitation bubble collapse.