Reconstruction and Protection of Cavitation-Damaged Rudder
Discover how our solution combat cavitation damage in semi-spade rudders. Learn how our protective coatings can significantly postpone damage and extend the life of your ship equipment.
Rudder Refurbishment Protection
Location
FA Yard
Job and report done by
Breki Ship Service ApS
Wencon products used
Wencon UW Coating, Wencon Cream
Cavitation damaged rudder
A semi-spade rudder with horn has been suffering from severe cavitation damage due to the harsh conditions at cruise speed. Cavitation, one of the most destructive phenomena for metals, results from rapid pressure changes in liquids, creating vapor bubbles that implode and generate intense shock waves.
This continuous impact is akin to relentless shot blasting, which no steel or coating can withstand. The rudder’s environment, common in pump and propeller areas, exacerbates this issue, leading to significant damage over time. Finding a viable solution to protect the rudder from such damage is critical.
The Wencon application process
Rudder blade after surface prep
Surface prepared and ready for applying Wencon products.
Rudder front edge
Due to high humidity at the repair site, Wencon UW coating was used to ensure adhesion to moist surface. Secondly the structure has been reconstructed using Wencon Cream
Rudder blade top view – below the horn
Application of Wencon protective coatings in progress.
Rudder blade top view – below the horn
When protecting a surface from cavitation, as thick a layer of coating as possible should be applied to postpone the attack of cavitation as long as possible.
Locally executed application
Since cavitation commonly occurs locally, the application is also executed locally only.
Ready for the vessel
The rudder is now protected in the best way possible, and ready for another 2 years in service, hopefully without suffering further damage to the metal and the psychical properties will remain sufficient to achieve yet another class approval.
Effective protective coatings to combat cavitation
To address the cavitation damage on the semi-spade rudder, Wencon’s protective coatings were applied. These coatings postpone the cavitation attack on the metal, preserving the physical properties of the rudder construction.
While it’s challenging to predict the exact lifetime of the Wencon application, it effectively delays further damage and is an essential part of the maintenance program. By creating a robust barrier, Wencon coatings protect the rudder against continuous cavitation impacts, ensuring prolonged service life and reliability.
