CAVITATION IN MATERIALS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HYDRAULIC TURBINES: REVIEW

Cavitation affects the hydraulic turbines of action and reaction, causing them to lose efficiency and useful life. It is important to consider this phenomenon to prevent or mitigate it. In this review we describe the phenomenon of cavitation and its different forms. Later, studies are presented that discuss the effects of cavitation on the microstructure of materials and on the surface, how roughness and surface defects increase the amount of material removed by cavitation. Then we present some alternatives that are proposed to reduce cavitation by means of coatings or from the design of the turbines. Finally, the effects of cavitation on the reaction turbines are presented.