Cavitation
Cavitation is the formation and collapse of vapor bubbles in a liquid when local pressure falls below the liquid's vapor pressure.
What this term means in maintenance
Cavitation is the formation and collapse of vapor bubbles in a liquid when local pressure falls below the liquid's vapor pressure.
Where cavitation occurs
It commonly affects:
- Pumps
- Control valves
- Propellers
- Turbines
- Liquid systems
Symptoms
Possible symptoms include:
- Crackling noise
- Vibration
- Reduced flow
- Pressure instability
- Pitting
- Impeller damage
- Loss of efficiency
Practical example
A pump operates with insufficient suction pressure and develops noise, vibration, and impeller erosion.
Causes
Causes may include blocked suction, high liquid temperature, excessive speed, low tank level, or poor piping design.
Common mistake
Replacing damaged impellers without correcting suction conditions allows cavitation to recur.
Related concepts
Related maintenance terms
Keep exploring connected CMMS, reliability, and maintenance planning terms.
Rotating Equipment
Rotating equipment is machinery containing components that rotate to transfer energy, move material, or perform mechanical work.
Condition Monitoring
Condition monitoring is the systematic collection and review of equipment-condition information to identify deterioration, abnormal operation, or developing failure.
Failure Mode
A failure mode describes the specific way an asset, component, or function fails to meet its required performance.
Cavitation FAQs
- What is cavitation?
Formation and collapse of vapor bubbles when liquid pressure falls below vapor pressure.
- What are common symptoms of Cavitation?
Noise, vibration, pressure instability, reduced flow, pitting, and efficiency loss.
- How is cavitation corrected?
Correct suction pressure, blockage, temperature, speed, level, piping, or system design.