Topographical characteristics of cavitation erosion on Ti6Al4V alloy with surface texture manufactured by laser

Laser-modified surface texture on Ti6Al4V alloy was investigated to improve its cavitation erosion resistance.The characterization of hardness in cross section of Ti6Al4V specimens was conducted by Vickers hardness,cavitation erosion characteristics were measured by ultrasonic vibrator,and cavitation erosion topographies were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy.Results indicate that the hardness of the surface and subsurface layers increases after being modified by laser texture manufacturing.The topographical characteristic of the line texture specimens is that the protuberant places appear to be sponge.The topographical characteristic of the grid texture specimens is that there are many pinholes,fatigue cracks and cavitation pits caused by brittle material removing from the protuberant places.The topographical characteristic of dot texture specimens is that only some pockmarks appear on the protuberant places.No obvious cavitation erosion characteristics appear at cupped place in all kinds of textures.Cavitation erosion resistances of Ti6Al4V specimens are significantly enhanced by laser texture manufacturing.