Cavitation and Tension in Liquids

Cavitation is the process of formation of voids and clouds of bubbles in liquids under tension. Cavitation and the ability of liquids to withstand tension are therefore topics of considerable importance in a number of disciplines in pure and applied science. The monograph begins with a historical survey of early cavitation research which started with the pioneering work of F M L Donny and Marcelin Berthelot. The theoretical and experimental background to cavitation and the tensile strength of liquids - static and dynamic stressing of liquids and bubble studies - is then discussed before the practical consequences are considered. It is these 'applied' areas in which cavitation has most bearing on everyday life: engineers and marine architects must have an appreciation of the effects of cavitation on hydraulic machinery and ships' propellers while the cavitation properties of the liquid coolant can play a large part in the design and safety of fast nuclear reactors. In the medical field cavitation effects are met in joint cracking, decompression sickness and blood flow. The conclusion of the book, and a survey of the present state of knowledge, are presented by Professor H N V Temperley, who has had a lifetime's experience of cavitation research. This monograph will serve as a complete introduction to cavitation and tension in liquids for students of physics, engineering and chemical engineering. Researchers and teachers will find it a handy reference source.other_titles