Mechanical shock of zircon based ceramic induced by cavitation erosion testing was investigated in this study. Several parameters were followed in order to determine level of material degradation during the cavitation erosion testing. Mass loss was taken as a conventional criterion for material degradation, while the level of surface degradation was evaluated by image and thermal imaging analyses. Results show high cavitation resistance of zircon ceramics and their suitability when vigorous cavitation erosion environment is expected.

1 University of Belgrade, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade, Serbia 2 Prydniprovsk State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine 3 University of Zenica, Faculty of Metallurgy and Material Science, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina 4 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade, Serbia 5 University of Belgrade, Technical Faculty in Bor, Bor, Serbia * E-mail: zstevic@tfbor.bg.ac.rs

In this paper the ability of three natural zeolites from different localities (Vranjska banja-VB, Igros-I and Baia Mare-BM deposits) to remove copper has been investigated. These three zeolites were subjected to the elementary analysis as well as XRDP and DTA/TG analysis due to complete characterization. Cation exchange capacity of VB, I and BM zeolites were 150.1, 169.2, and 176.5 meq/100g. The maximum adsorption capacity for the copper adsorption on VB, I and BM-zeolites were 7.75, 8.51, and 11.18 mg/g. Based on the obtained results the mathematical expression that describes correlation between the CEC and copper adsorption capacity has been developed. This linear dependance has been tested with the vast variety of experimental results. According to this expression it is possible to predict the copper adsorption capacity for different zeolites based only on their CEC value.