Adaptação e avaliação de um equipamento para ensaio de cavitação acelerado

Abstract

Erosion by cavitation is one of the most important problems struggled by designers of high speed hydrodynamic systems. Its significant incidence in modern hydraulic turbines and consequent financial losses (still equipment and repair costs, mainly concerning consumable) have stimulated interests on cavitation researching. However, despite the hydraulic vocation of the Triângulo Mineiro region (centre of Brazil), there exists a lack of technical information and infrastructure for supporting the development of this technological area in the region. On this basis, a methodology for adapting and assessing a simple Ultrasonic Machining Equipment for accelerated cavitation test (according ASTM G32 standard) was developed and applied. The work was proceeded by a bibliographic review with emphases mainly on the mechanisms of cavitation formation and the relation of this phenomenon with the resistant materials. A monitoring system for vibration frequency and amplitude was developed and calibrated. Following, available sample holders (horns) were checked and new ones were designed and built, up to reaching an exponential satisfactory shape. Next, three metallic alloys were tested for verifying the equipment performance. The two first alloys were appropriated for sufarcings against cavitation (E5475 and E725W) and the third one was used as reference (ABNT 1020 steel). The samples were previously characterized by metallographic techniques and using Schaefler/DeLong diagrams. Curves of erosion against time were raised and the incubation time and erosion rate at steady state were calculated. The results showed to be possible to change a simple Ultrasonic Machine into a Cavitation Test Equipment. The results also showed that the E725W alloy seems to present the best performance against cavitation erosion.