INFLUENCE OF CATHODIC AND ANODIC CURRENTS ON CAVITATION EROSION

A vibratory-type cavitation test rig was constructed to study the effe ct of polarizing currents applied to a cavitating body. The generation of gas by electrolysis reduced mechanical damage suffered by a cavita ting body because of bubble collapse cushioning. However, the net effe ct on overall damage depended on several factors, including the intens ity of mechanical attack, corrosion rate, and surface geometrical effe cts. A cathodic current was shown to always decrease of the total volu me loss rate, but the volume loss rate sometimes was increased and som etimes was reduced in the anodic current range.