Examining erosion resistance of ceramics for electrical engineering applications

Abstract

In this research, two non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, thermal vision analysis and image analysis, were implemented for monitoring the surface changes- erosion of mullite based ceramic samples in conditions of cavitation exposure. Thermal imaging analysis was focused on determining temperature line profile at the end of the cavitation experiment. Image analysis is a powerful tool for quantification of degradation level caused by different impacts and conditions. Based on the results of image analysis, the degradation level during the testing was determined, as well as number of formed pits with their characteristics (average diameter and area). The results performed by both methods were discussed in order to obtain optimal procedure that should be followed for estimating degradation caused by cavitation erosion.