The effect of casting porosities on cavitational erosion of intermetallic alloy FeAl36

The machinery and equipment elements operating in a turbulent fluid flow, are exposed to destruction as a result of the impact of the cavitation, corrosion and abrasion processes, among which are hardest to minimize the imploding cavitation bubbles. Repeated cavitation implosions of bubbles give rise to cracks, material loss, resulting in increased flow resistance and reduction of the efficiency of the device, or even its destruction. In order to prevent or mitigate the cavitation phenomenon and its harmful effects, two basic methods are applied. The first of these is the selection of geometrical parameters and hydraulic machinery and the relevant elements of the streamlined shape and flow channels. The second solution is the selection of engineering plastics with greater resistance to cavitation. In case of materials manufactured with the casting method, a very important role is being played by the quality of manufactured casting having the smallest number of casting defects. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of casting porosities of an intermetallic alloy FeAl36 on cavitational erosion.