Cavitation erosion behavior of friction stir processed nickel aluminum bronze

Abstract In this investigation, cast nickel aluminum bronze (NAB) was subjected to friction stir processing (FSP). The mechanical properties and the cavitation erosion behavior of the as-cast and FSP NAB alloy were investigated. The results showed that the initial microstructure of the as-cast NAB transformed to the fine and homogeneous microstructure after FSP, therefore improving the microhardness, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation of as-cast NAB alloy. The cavitation erosion test showed that the FSP improved the cavitation erosion resistance of the as-cast NAB alloy in the distilled water. Furthermore, the cavitation erosion mechanisms in as-cast and FSP NAB alloy were investigated and understood in terms of schematic diagrams in this research.