Correlation of microstructure with cavitation erosion behaviour of a nickel-aluminum bronze in simulated seawater

The correlation of microstructure with cavitation erosion (CE) behaviour of Ni-Al bronze in simulated seawater has been clarified. It is found that there exist a large number of dislocations and deformation twins in the α-phases after CE damage, and these dislocations and deformation twins can prevent the fatigue cracks from nucleating and expansion, thereby making Ni-Al bronze a superior CE resistance. Meanwhile, the small size of the α-phases improves the critical shear stress of dislocation movement, thus displaying good strengthening effect on this material. In addition, the microstructure evolution of Ni-Al bronze with different CE time as well as the synergistic effect between CE and corrosion in simulated seawater have also been studied. •CE induced the high density dislocations and deformation twins in the α-phases.•Uniformly distributed κIV phases hindered cracks growth in the vertical direction.•The small α-phases improved the critical shear stress of dislocation movement.•Synergistic effect between CE and corrosion played a vital role in CE damage.