Study on anti-cavitation performance of elastomer composite coatings in a salt solution

In order to study whether silica will become a weak point of cavitation of silicone coating and which of the surface roughness, elongation, elastic modulus and hardness has a greater impact on cavitation, composite coatings composed of silicate, polyurethane and silicone coating with different surface roughness, elongation, elastic modulus and hardness containing silica were prepared. The morphology, composition and performance of the composite coatings before and after cavitation were characterized by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and weight loss. The results showed that cavitation damage mainly occurs in the silicone polymer matrix rather than the silica reinforced powder. Enlarging the elongation, elastic modulus and hardness of polyurethane coating can improve the cavitation resistance of the composite coatings. The cavitation resistance of composite coatings is closely related to their surface roughness.

Automated summary

This study investigates the weak point of silica in silicone coatings in terms of cavitation and determines the influence of surface roughness, elongation, elastic modulus, and hardness on cavitation. Composite coatings consisting of silicate, polyurethane, and silicone coating with varying properties were prepared. Characterization of the coatings before and after cavitation was conducted using confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and weight loss analysis. The results reveal that cavitation damage mainly occurs in the silicone polymer matrix rather than the silica reinforced powder. Increasing the elongation, elastic modulus, and hardness of the polyurethane coating improves the cavitation resistance of the composite coatings. The cavitation resistance is closely related to the surface roughness of the coatings.