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- Evaluation of Field Repairable Materials and Techniques for Cavitation Damage
Evaluation of Field Repairable Materials and Techniques for Cavitation Damage
Project ID: 8452
Principal Investigator: Christine Daniels
Research Topic: Repair and Maintenance
Funded Fiscal Years:
2016,
2017 and
2018
Keywords: None
Research Question
Can cold-spray techniques offer better resistance to cavitation while offering a better, safer alternative to current
stainless steel welding techniques?
Need and Benefit
There is a strong need by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for a new
repair procedure that is cheaper and can last longer where cavitation occurs. Cavitation occurs when a sudden
pressure decrease causes the formation of vapor bubbles in the water. The bubbles implode causing a high
amount of force that cause cyclic stress that fatigue metals in localized areas. Over time the damage accumulates
and creates high cost maintenance issues. This occurs on the backside of turbomachinery such as impellors,
propellers, and turbines. It also occur on the downstream side of high pressure slide gates, valves, and draft
tubes.. If left unchecked, the rate of damage continues to increase causing significant damage to steel surfaces,
requiring extensive repairs or full replacement of damaged steel.
Contributing Partners
Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.
Research Products
Bureau of Reclamation Review
The following documents were reviewed by experts in fields relating to this project's study and findings. The results were determined to be achieved using valid means.
Evaluation of Field Repairable Materials and Techniques for Cavitation Damage (final, PDF, 2.1MB)
By Christine Henderson
Research Product completed on September 30, 2019
Evaluation of Field Repairable Materials and Techniques for Cavitation Damage (final, PDF, 1.1MB)
By Chrissy Henderson
R&D Bulletin completed on September 30, 2019
