Studies on Cavitation Erosion

Abstract

Cavitation damage tests of iron and steel have been carried out using two types of experimental facilities. One is a water tunnel system which presumably simulates the field conditions fairly closely and the other is a magnetostriction vibratory unit commonly used for accelerated cavitation erosion testing of metals. A comparison between water tunnel and vibratory tests shows a difference in mechanism of cavitation damage. Consequently, it has been concluded that the application of the test results obtained in a magnetostriction vibratory apparatus should be limited to provide rough data for the primary selection of proper materials to be used in the construction of hydraulic units and other industrial systems, unless damage is caused under similar conditions to that of the vibratory apparatus.