Cavitation strengthening of curved blades with submerged waterjet: A preliminary experimental investigation

Cavitation strengthening is usually implemented on flat specimen surface and relevant conclusions are difficult to be extended to curved blades. In the present work, cavitation strengthening for the curved surface is treated. A systematic consideration covering primary factors behind cavitation strengthening is substantiated in curved impeller blades. The submerged waterjet is used to trigger cavitation and then the cavitation impact on the impeller blades is produced. Apart from the attempt to construct a cavitating waterjet rig for strengthening model blades, the approaches of evaluating cavitation strengthening intensity are presented as well. The correlation between the results obtained in both the laboratory level and practice is established. The possibility of implementing the strategies for industrial use is validated. It is anticipated to provide a reference for the optimal control of cavitation strengthening for the curved surface. (paper)