Cavitation
Cavitaion is a formation of vapour bubbles in a
liquid at low pressure areas that happen in
regions where the liquid was accelerated to high
speeds. Cavitation erodes the blades of
propeller, creates additional noise from
knocking, vibrations and loss of efficiency
because the flow of liquid is disordered.
Cavities form when the pressure of liquid is
reduced to vapour pressure. The quick spike and
collapse of the vapour cavities cause extreme
pressures that then pit the surfaces of
propeller exposed to the cavitating liquid.
Propeller damaged by
cavitation.
Bubbles indicate the area where cavitation
occurs.