Influence of Cathodic and Anodic Currents on Cavitation Erosion

A vibratory-type cavitation test rig was constructed to study the effect of polarizing currents applied to a cavitating body. The generation of gas by electrolysis reduced mechanical damage suffered by a cavitating body because of bubble collapse cushioning. However, the net effect on overall damage depended on several factors, including the intensity of mechanical attack, corrosion rate, and surface geometrical effects. A cathodic current was shown to always decrease of the total volume loss rate, but the volume loss rate sometimes was increased and sometimes was reduced in the anodic current range.