COMPARISON OF TUNNEL AND JET METHODS FOR CAVITATION EROSION TESTING

The cavitation erosion behaviour of a number of metals has been studie d using a sea water cavitation tunnel test and a fresh water jet cavit ation method. Erosion parameters, including erosion rate and depth of damage, have been obtained for both systems and the data shown to corr elate with mechanical properties of the metal, such as plasticity and hardness. Analysis of eroded specimens subjected to interrupted jet ca vitation tests, combined with parallel microstructural studies on all eroded specimens, have shown that the erosion damage produced by the t wo test methods, whilst differing in degree, is generally similar in c haracter. Hence it may be concluded that the jet cavitation test provi des, with qualification, a satisfactory alternative for the more tradi tional cavitation tunnel technique.