Two Aspects of Cavitation Damage in the Incubation Zone: Scaling by Energy Considerations and Leading Edge Damage

Abstract

This study focused on two aspects of the cavitation damage problem, namely an energy approach to the scaling of cavitation damage in the incubation zone and damage near the leading edge of a test model. The damage to the surface of the models was in the form of small indentations in which no material was removed. For a wide range of velocities namely 14.9 to 59.3 m/s the rate of pit formation per unit area in the maximum damage zone increased by the sixth power of velocity. Furthermore it is shown that the damage rate versus velocity data are in good agreement with three other investigations. The volumes of the pits were found to increase by the fifth power of velocity. A relationship between the volume of a pit and the cavitation bubble collapse energy absorbed was developed. The damage to the leading edge was felt to be due to the reentrant jet striking the leading edge of the cavity creating a short term pressure rise causing the collapse of any cavitation bubbles in this area.