AWWA ACE61643

Cavitation erosion is a major mode of failure of coatings and metals in water industry applications. Using ASTM Method G-32-98 (Cavitation Erosion Using Vibratory Apparatus), the present research shows that thermoplastic powder coatings based on polyamide-11 (Rilsan® Fine Powder) have exceptional resistance to cavitation erosion, substantially better than other coatings such as epoxies, used in water industry applications. In fact, polyamide-11 coatings perform better than metals, including stainless steel. Gravimetric and optical data for a variety of coatings and metals are discussed. Moreover, analyses show that in addition to a mechanical component, there is a chemical component to cavitation erosion. Includes 5 references, tables, figures.