You searched for: “cavitation
cavitation
1. The sudden formation and collapse of low-pressure bubbles in liquids by means of mechanical forces; such as, those resulting from rotation of a marine propeller.
2. The formation of gas bubbles in a liquid, due to pressure variations, heating, or vibration.

Specifically, the formation of gas pockets or bubbles on the blade of an impeller or the gate of a valve; collapse of these pockets or bubbles drives water with such force that it can cause pitting on the surface.

3. The pitting of a solid surface.
4. In medicine, the formation of cavities in a body tissue or an organ, especially those formed in the lung as a result of tuberculosis.
Word Entries containing the term: “cavitation
cavitation erosion
The surface erosion of a material caused by the formation and scallops of cavities when the material is immersed in a liquid environment; for example, the erosion of an operating bronze ship propeller.
This entry is located in the following unit: cav-, cavo-, cava-, cavi-, cavern- (page 3)