What is cavitation erosion?

Cavitation erosion is an impact fatigue attack caused by the formation and collapse of vapor bubbles in the oil film. It occurs under conditions of rapid pressure changes during the crank cycle in internal combustion engines. The harder the bearing material the greater its resistance to cavitation erosion.

What does cavitation mean?

cavitation, formation of vapour bubbles within a liquid at low-pressure regions that occur in places where the liquid has been accelerated to high velocities, as in the operation of centrifugal pumps, water turbines, and marine propellers.

Is cavitation a type of erosion?

Cavitation erosion is the process of surface deterioration and surface material loss due to the generation of vapor or gas pockets inside the flow of liquid.

What is cavitation material?

Cavitation occurs when vapour cavities form in a liquid, resulting in small voids or bubbles in the material. Derived from the latin word cavitare, Cavitation literally means ‘caving out’. It usually arises upon rapid change of pressure or movement of the material, causing hollow spaces, also known as voids or bubbles.

What is cavitation and it types?

There are two types of cavitation: Inertial cavitation refers to the formation of vapor cavities, which proceed to rapidly collapse, causing a shockwave. Non-inertial cavitation is the oscillation of the size and shape of the vapor cavities.

Where can cavitation occur?

Major places where cavitation occurs are in pumps, on propellers, or at restrictions in a flowing liquid. As an impeller’s (in a pump) or propeller’s (as in the case of a ship or submarine) blades move through a fluid, low-pressure areas are formed as the fluid accelerates around and moves past the blades.

How does cavitation erode metal?

In hydraulics systems, cavitation erosion occurs when differences in the pressures of high-velocity liquids result in the formation of vapor bubbles on a metallic surface. When the vapor bubbles abruptly collapse, they leave a lasting mark on the metallic surface on which they formed.

What is cavitation what are its effects?

The generation of vapour bubbles or cavities in a fluid flow due to low pressure and its sudden collapse causing damages in the related parts like impeller, pump housing, etc are termed as Cavitation. It is one of the major problems for Centrifugal pumps.

What is cavitation and how can it be prevented?

The best way to prevent cavitation is to select the right pump for the application. Cavitation increases as pump head falls or as capacity increases, so selecting the correct pump to maintain a positive margin of NPSHa above NPSHr is the best first move.