A discussion on deformation of solids by the impact of liquids, and its relation to rain damage in aircraft and missiles, to blade erosion in steam turbines, and to cavitation erosion - High speed liquid impact

Abstract

A study has been made of the deformation at high strain rates of solids under the impact of liquids. A method is described for projecting a short liquid jet against a solid surface at speeds up to 1200 m/s. The flow of the liquid and the deformation of the solid during impact have been examined by high speed photographic methods. An attempt has been made to measure the magnitude and duration of the load by means of a piezoelectric pressure transducer. There is evidence that the liquid behaves initially on impact in a compressible manner. Part of the deformation of the solid is due to this compressible behaviour and part to the erosive shearing action of the liquid flowing at very high speeds out across the surface. The mode of deformation in brittle and in plastically deforming materials has been investigated. The deformation patterns produced are shown to be characteristic of liquid impact. The predominating mechanism of deformation depends on the mechanical properties of the solid and on the velocity of impact.