Dynamic stressing of a liquid-liquid interface by tension

We report experiments in which the interface between two immiscible liquids is subjected to tension by dynamic stressing. During the course of these e xperiments, cavitation is only observed in the stronger of the two liquids (in terms of their tensile strength). The results are explained in terms of the failure of the liquid-liquid interface under tension, and the ability of the vapour layer so created to reflect subsequent compressional waves as tension. The findings reported here support the results of earlier work in this area and their technological implications are briefly discussed.