Observation of damage behavior with spray distance for Al-Zn-Zr thermal spray coating

Previously, the ship was operated at a low speed, and erosion by the cavitation did not become a problem. Therefore, most of the hulls are being coated anti‐corrosion painting. However, the corrosion in which accompanied physical erosion was accelerated while the ship became bigger and faster. Ship's stern is exposed to more severe environment such as tide, speed, cavitation and erosion corrosion. Accordingly, this study applied for thermal spray coating to provide better electrochemical characteristics and corrosion resistance in marine environment. The steel used for ship constructions was spray‐coated with 85%Al‐14.5%Zn‐0.5%Zr wire, and additionally, the spray distance was diversified. Results of electrochemical and cavitation test, the case of 30 cm was determined as the optimum spray distance. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.