Surface Protection Strategies for Dome-Shaped Structures Against Cavitational Erosion

Cavitation is a critical phenomenon encountered in fluid-structure interactions, especially when submerged or partially submerged bodies rapidly emerge from liquid environments. In aerospace and marine applications, dome-shaped structures that transition through water at high velocities experience intense cavitational forces due to rapid pressure fluctuations and vapour bubble collapse near the surface. These effects can lead to severe surface erosion, noise generation, and structural fatigue, compromising performance and longevity. This study investigates the occurrence of cavitation on dome-shaped geometries emerging from water with varying velocities and explores the effectiveness of a thin elastomeric (rubber-based) coating in mitigating these detrimental effects. Experimental simulations and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analyses were conducted to evaluate pressure distribution, vapour bubble dynamics, and material response under static flow conditions. The results demonstrate that the incorporation of a flexible rubber layer significantly reduces cavitation intensity by dampening local pressure gradients and absorbing impact energy from collapsing bubbles. Moreover, the coating minimizes micro-pitting and surface degradation, thereby enhancing the operational durability of submerged aerospace structures. The findings offer valuable insights into designing resilient water-exiting components such as re-entry modules, underwater drones, and amphibious aerospace systems. This research contributes to sustainable engineering practices by promoting advanced surface protection techniques against cavitational damage in dynamic fluid environments.