Erosion Due to Ultra-High-Speed Cavitating Jet

Abstract

Experimental studies are carried out to clarify the effects of ambient pressure on the structure and erosive property of an ultra-high-speed cavitating jet. Tap water is pressurized up to 118 Mpa and injected into a test cell at specified constant pressure. Specimens of aluminum alloy are used for erosion tests. The structure of the ultra-high-speed cavitating jet is observed by instantaneous photographs and high-speed photography. The damaged surface of the specimens are examined by using a scanning electron microscope and mechanism of the erosion by impingement of the ultra-high-speed cavitating jet is investigated.