Cavitation erosion characteristics of hard chromium plated diesel engine cylinder liner

Hard chromium plating was performed to prevent the cavitation erosion of a diesel engine cylinder liner and the damage characteristics of the plating layer were analysed by conducting a cavitation erosion test with an amplitude of 50 mu m according to the ASTM G-32 standard in a coolant. The surface damage was analysed using a scanning electron microscope and a 3D optical microscope before and after the test, and the weight loss of the specimen was determined. The surface analysis result showed the occurrence and growth of local damage of micro-tunnel shape on the surface of the plating layer, and both the surface damage depth and weight loss tended to increase. This local damage was observed to occur and grow first in the spherical grain microstructure of the plating layer. Consequently, it is thought that cavitation erosion attack will cause local damage of the hard chromium plated cylinder liner.

Automated summary

The damage characteristics of a hard chromium plating layer on a diesel engine cylinder liner under cavitation erosion were analyzed. It was found that the plating layer showed localized damage in the form of micro-tunnels on its surface, with an increasing depth and weight loss. This local damage was observed to occur and grow first in the spherical grain microstructure of the plating layer.