Cavitation damage has been a limiting factor responsible for loss of performance, and eventual failure, in a variety of pumping applications, particularly boiler feed pump impellers. These have been prone to early cavitation damage as a consequence of the trend to use many feedpumps in cycling rather than continuous service, often at off-design conditions. This has contributed to expensive unplanned outages.

Improved hydraulic design and advanced materials can be used to mitigate the effects of cavitation. Applied materials research is described, leading to the development of a cobalt modified austenitic stainless steel casting alloy. The new material has been utilized, initially, as boiler feed pump impellers in applications known to induce severe cavitation damage in standard materials. Laboratory data suggests life extension by a factor of five is possible. Initial field use of the material is discussed and preliminary data presented.

Subject
New alloys, Cavitation, Materials, Stainless alloys, Repair, Pressure, Hydraulic equipment, Erosion, Boilers, Corrosion resistance, Stainless steel, Casting, Damage
Keywords:
cavitation, impeller, boiler feed pump, casting, strain hardening, stainless steel
© 1993 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1993
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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