Effect of globular microstructure on cavitation erosion resistance of aluminium alloys

In this paper the effect of globular microstructure on the cavitation erosion resistance was assessed and compared to that of conventional dendritic one. Three different wrought aluminum alloys in as-cast conditions were investigated. The samples were completely characterized by metallographic analyses and microhardness measurements. Cavitation erosion tests were performed according to ASTM G 32 standard. The volume loss was evaluated during the test by periodical interruptions. It was identified the damaging mechanism in case of both dendritic and semisolid microstructure. It was also found that the globular microstructure increases the cavitation erosion resistance only for one of the studied alloys.