Numerical Analysis of Cavitation Erosion in 316L Steel with CrN PVD Coating

The erosion process of a 4 μm monolayer CrN coating deposited on 316L stainless steel due to cavitation was investigated using finite element analysis (FEA). To estimate load parameters from cavitation pit geometry resulting from high impact velocity and high strain rate, the explicit dynamic solver was employed. Water microjet impacts at velocities of 100, 200 and 500 m/s were simulated to recreate different cavitation erosion intensities observed in the experiment. The resulting damage characteristics were compared to previous studies on uncoated 316L steel. The relationship between impact velocity and postimpact geometry was examined. Simulations revealed that only impact at 500 m/s can exceed the maximum yield stress of the substrate without penetrating the coating. Subsequent impacts on the same zone deepen the impact pit and penetrate the coating, leading to direct substrate degradation. The influence of impact velocity on the coating degradation process is discussed.