Fluid cavitation corrosion can cause severe damage and problems in many practical applications. A collapsing bubble produces pressure and thermal shock waves, and microjets. These intense local forces will erode material in the proximity of the collapsing bubble. The intensity of the collapsing bubble is heavily dependent on the physical and thermodynamic properties of the cavitating fluid medium.
An experimental study of the effect of various physical and fluid thermodynamic properties of the fluid has been conducted utilizing an ultrasonic cavitation generator and a real time cavitation intensity measuring method that had been developed earlier by the author and described in reference [1]*. Tests have been conducted at room and elevated temperatures.
A test matrix with fluids that have additives to modify certain physical characteristics of the fluid was established. The physical properties were either measured or calculated. These physical properties include surface tension, viscosity, speed of sound, vapor pressure, density, and compressibility. Thermodynamic effects and molecular weight are also considered. Cavitation potential of various typical engine coolants are assessed and correlated to their physical and thermodynamic properties. The results of this work can help in practical situations to minimize fluid cavitation in many application. One of these applications is coolant design for internal combustion engines to reduce liner/block pitting problems.