Cavitation erosion behavior of hydro turbine steels
As cast 13/4 steel (CA6NM) finds wide application in hydroturbine underwater parts, which got eroded due to silt erosion and cavitation erosion. The cavitation erosion is highly depending on microstructure and mechanical properties. Nitrogen strengthened austenitic stainless steel (21-4-N steel) in as cast condition has been investigated as an alternative to 13/4 steel to overcome the problems of cavitation erosion. The results of vibration cavitation erosion tests show that 21-4-N steel is more cavitation erosion resistant than 13/4 steel.