Cavitation erosion of some alloys manufactured on steel and iron surfaces by laser beam

Cavitation erosion resistance of structural carbon steel, corrosion resistant chromium steel and technical iron superficially processed by CO₂ laser beam were investigated. Various metallic powders had been alloyed on the surfaces of the samples and then subjected to cavitation at the rotating disc facility. Tests were carried out in the incubation period of the erosion. It was found that material of reduced ability to work hardening could not achieve optional resistance to cavitation, regardless of its hardness. Moreover, strong dependence of the increase in erosion resistance of the alloyed materials on the substrate was also observed. The best performance under the erosion conditions displayed the samples alloyed with AlNi and SiC or with Nb powders. In each case mentioned, high increase in surface hardness was achieved due to cavitation loading.