Reduction of Cavitation Damage by Surface Treatment

Abstract

It was rationalized, with limited supporting evidence, that most damage due to cavitation stems from cavities which are the consequence of outgassing nuclei growing from fissures in a body's surface. To minimize this damage, it was proposed that body surfaces be treated to reduce the number and activity of these surface faults. Vibratory cavitation damage tests of specimens treated to seal, neutralize, or compress the test surface indicated that these protective measures were inadequate for the severe conditions of a vibratory test. Light shot peening of a work hardening stainless steel prior to cavitation exposure substantially reduced the normal rate of cavitation erosion.