A comparison of the cavitation erosion resistance of TiNi alloys, SUS304 stainless steel and Ni-based self-fluxing alloy

Cavitation erosion of TiNi shape memory alloys, SUS304 stainless steel (SS) and Ni-based self-fluxing alloys has been investigated in freshwater and 3 .5 wt.% NaCl solution according to the ASTM G32-85 standard method. After 3 00 min of cavitation erosion, the cumulative weight loss of SUS304 SS is 45 times, whereas that of Ni-based self-fluxing alloy is 15 times the value o f TiNi alloys. TiNi alloys and SUS304 SS exhibit a working-hardening behavi or in the early cavitation stage, and thereafter maintain constant hardness during further cavitation. However, the Ni-based self-fluxing alloy exhibi ts no hardening phenomenon during cavitation test. The thermoelastic marten sitic transformations of TiNi alloys have important effects on their erosio n characteristics. The variants accommodation, pseudoelasticity of SIM and high work-hardening rate can improve the erosion resistance of TiNi alloys. Cavitation erosion of all these alloys in freshwater is similar to that in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution under the same testing conditions. (C) 2000 Elsevie r Science S.A. All rights reserved.