Effect of liquid parameters on cavitation erosion in liquid metals

Abstract

A cavitation erosion vibratory apparatus was developed for low-temperature melting alloys. The temperature can be changed from room temperature to 150°C. The erosion tests of SUS 304 were carried out in liquid lead-bismuth metal and in deionized water. The erosion rate was parameterized in terms of a relative temperature defined as the peroentage between freezing and boiling points. At 14°C relative temperature, the erosion rate was 10 times in lead-bismuth, and 2 to 5 times in sodium, compared with that in deionized water. The erosion rate can be evaluated as a function of material density and sound velocity. Finally, the temperature dependence was discussed in terms of liquid vapor pressure.