Prediction method for cavitation erosion based on measurement of bubble collapse impact loads

Abstract

The prediction of cavitation erosion rates is important in order to evaluate the exact life of components. The measurement of impact loads in bubble collapses helps to predict the life under cavitation erosion. In this study, we carried out erosion tests and the measurements of impact loads in bubble collapses with a vibratory apparatus. We evaluated the incubation period based on a cumulative damage rule by measuring the impact loads of cavitation acting on the specimen surface and by using the "constant impact load - number of impact loads curve" similar to the modified Miner's rule which is employed for fatigue life prediction. We found that the parameter Σ(F iα×ni) (Fi: impact load, ni: number of impacts and α: constant) is suitable for the evaluation of the erosion life. Moreover, we propose a new method that can predict the incubation period under various cavitation conditions. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.