CAVITATION-INDUCED EROSION ACTIVITY OF HYDRODYNAMIC RADIATORS

An experimental study addressing the erosion activity of axisymmetric radiating systems that generate acoustic vibration due to the expulsio n of the contents of a localized cavitation region is summarized. Two cases were considered: a normal and an elevated (up to 2.4 MPa) static pressure. In both cases, the erosion effects were determined in quant itative terms. The elevated static pressure was found to increase the erosion activity by almost two orders of magnitude. It is concluded th at the erosion effect of a hydrodynamic radiator is determined by acou stic cavitation, on which hydrodynamic cavitation is superimposed just as a localized cavitation region is formed.