Revealing the influence of zirconium content on the cavitation erosion-corrosion of a wear-resistant steel in sodium chloride solution

Wear-resistant steels with different zirconium contents were prepared to investigate the influence of zirconium on the cavitation erosion-corrosion behaviour in sodium chloride solution. To better understand the behaviour of these steels, the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behaviour were also evaluated. It was found that the addition of appropriate amounts of zirconium to current steel could effectively improve its cavitation erosion-corrosion resistance, mainly attributed to the improved corrosion resistance, impact toughness and work-hardening capacity. However, excessive addition of zirconium caused the precipitation of large-sized zirconium compounds. The interface between the compounds and the matrix could be the origin of damage.