Effects of strain induced martensitic transformation on the cavitation erosion resistance and incubation time of Fe-Cr-Ni-C alloys

► The incubation time decreased as the carbon concentration increased. In addition, weight loss rate in the alloys increased as the incubation time increased. ► Given its lower critical energy, a martensitic transformation occurs more readily in the 0.3 wt% C alloy and thus, it possesses higher cavitation resistance by absorbing cavitation energy. ► The strain induced martensitic transformation steadily affects the cavitation erosion resistance over the incubation period and the entire testing duration.