Study on cavitation erosion resistance and surface topologies of various coating materials used in shipbuilding industry

Cavitation erosion tests were conducted to evaluate the cavitation erosion resistance of five coating materials: epoxy clear coat, commercial epoxy coating, glass-flake-reinforced epoxy coating, polyurethane coating, and silicone coating. The relationships between cavitation erosion resistance and the mechanical and thermal properties were studied. Eroded surfaces were observed using scanning electron microscopy and 3D confocal microscopy. We found that the cavitation erosion resistance was greater in coating materials with better ductile and tough properties than in coating materials with higher strength or hardness. Thermal stability was also a very important factor that determined cavitation erosion resistance.