Cavitation

Name:
Cavitation
Detailed information:
Formation of vapor bubbles in a liquid such as saltwater when subjected to tension, causing severe mechanical damage to the surfaces of metals exposed to it, e.g., ship propellers, steam condensers, pumps, and piping systems. The erosive effect is due to the shock waves created by collapse of the bubbles. The pressures exerted by cavitation have been calculated to be in the range of 30,000 psi. This phenomenon plays a part in corrosion of metals and in emulsion formation.See Corrosion; Homogenization.