Abstract
Cavitation erosion properties of the Cu-9Al-4.5Ni-4.5Fe alloys (Al-bronze) surface-modified by flame quenching process have been investigated. After flame quenching at above $T_{\beta}$, the surfaces of Al-bronze with $\alpha$ + $\textsc{k}$ structure have been changed into the $\alpha$ + $\beta$' martensite phases by the eutectoid reaction of $\alpha$ + $\textsc{k}$\longrightarrow$\beta$ followed by the martensite transformation of $\beta$\longrightarrow$\beta$'. As a result of cavitation test, the measured incubation time and erosion rate of the $\alpha$ + $\beta$' alloy was 1.2 times higher and 1.5 times lower, respectively, compared to those of the conventional $\alpha$ + $\textsc{k}$ alloys, showing a remarkable increase of cavitation resistance with the formation of $\beta$' martensite. This is attributed to a preferential erosion of the $\textsc{k}$ precipitates that show the lowest resistance among the $\alpha$, $\textsc{k}$, $\beta$' phases under cavitation loading.ases under cavitation loading.