Cavitation erosion behavior of GH 4738 nickel-based superalloy

Abstract Cavitation erosion is a form of wear damage, and reduces the performance and lifetime of the components that used in aerospace, power and nuclear industries, etc. The cavitation erosion behavior of GH 4738 nickel-based superalloy was investigated using an ultrasonic vibratory device and compared with that of Inconel 601 alloy. The results show that GH 4738 exhibited better cavitation erosion resistance than Inconel 601. The selective cavitation erosion and cavitation-induced nanometer-scaled precipitates were found on the eroded surface of GH 4738. The erosion damage might be slowed down through the bubbles collapse energy absorption by the formation of precipitates and the pinning effect of precipitates, which will be helpful to understand the effect of precipitates on materials cavitation erosion resistance.