The effect of laser surface melting on the cavitation wear of grey cast iron in distilled and 3% salt waters

Vibratory cavitation erosion tests were used to investigate the effects of laser surface melting and 3% salt water on the cavitation erosion of a grey cast iron. Laser surface melting reduced the amount of cavitation erosion in distilled water by a factor of 0.3 and in 3% salt water by a factor of 0.57. Salt in the water increased the amount of erosion of the untreated iron by a factor of 2.1 and the laser-treated iron by a factor of 3.94. Surface profiles and metallographic studies were made at stages throughout the cavitation test and these are discussed and related to the cavitation erosion process.