The usage of ceramic materials in the applications endangered by intensive cavitation could limit erosion phenomena. In the presented work, cavitation erosion resistance and wear degradation mechanisms of commonly used (in structural application) phases (a?alumina, tetragonal zirconia, silicon nitride, silicon carbide) were investigated. Additionally, the behaviour under cavitation conditions of composite materials, based on alumina and zirconia matrices, was discussed. Significant difference in cavitation wear mechanisms for investigated materials were observed and described. Alumina was degraded by removing the whole grains from the large surface subjected to cavitation. Degradation of zirconia proceeded locally, along ribbon-like paths of removed grains due to phase transformation occurrence. Silicon nitride cavitation resistance depended on distribution of glassy phase on grains boundary. Cavitation wear of composites was strongly dependent on the residual stress state in the material. Particulate composites of oxide phases showed a significant improvement of cavitation resistance independently on the residual stress state.

The work was partly financially supported by the statutory funds of the Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics under grant no. 11.11.160.617.