The response of coated steels to cavitation in corrosive environments. Technical report.

Cavitation-erosion in marine environments can have serious, deleterious effects on coated steels. This work is aimed at a detailed understanding of these effects. Studies are being carried out on aluminium-zinc alloy and alumina-base ceramic coatings. The resistance to corrosive media of these coated steels is being studied, with and without polyurethane impregnation of the porous coating, since polymer-filled flame sprayed anodic coatings are known to give remarkable corrosion protection in a range of marine environments. Details of the thermal spray process are also being examined as these affect properties. Furthermore, transition metal/metalloid amorphous coatings are being examined. It is out intent to study erosive/corrosive effects where, for modern, high velocity marine vehicles, they are certain to play an important role. (A)