Plain bearing failure index

4.0 Cavitation Erosion

Cavitation Erosion Index


4.1 Cavitation Erosion Damage in Reciprocating Engine Bearing

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	Cavitation erosion damage to engine bearing caused by rapid approach of shaft to bearing, causing surges in the oil escape flow, resulting in collapsing vapour bubbles in the oil flow which erode back into the bearing along the local flow lines. (Photograph: Glacier Metal Co.)
Main Characteristics	Cavitation damage usually takes the form of lines of erosion cutting back into the bearing lands in the form of arrows, with the arrow head pointing in the direction of motion.
Cause
Note
Possible Confusion with Other Types of Damage	Cavitation damage is very similar to the damage resulting from dirt erosion (see Section 2.4: Erosion damage of white metal journal bearing). In the latter case, however, the arrowhead starts at the oil feed hole, but in that case points against the direction of motion.
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