18 causes of cavitation in hydraulic systems
Cavitation is a term used to describe the formation of cavities in liquids. In hydraulic systems, this usually refers to the formation of bubbles in the oil, but it also means that the dissolved air is separated from the oil.
Cavitation occurs when the pressure of air pockets in the oil changes dramatically near the metal surface.
In hydraulic systems, the formation of air chambers is usually (but not always) related to the existence of vacuum (negative gauge pressure). Moreover, compared with the bubble implosion caused by pressure, the mechanical force caused by vacuum can damage hydraulic components much more.
How many different causes can you suggest for cavitation in hydraulic systems?
This is 18 of them:
1 Clogged suction filter
2 Wrong fluid viscosity
3 Fluid temperature is too low
4 Fluid temperature is too high
5 Air filter blocked
6 The diameter of the oil inlet pipe of the pump is too small
7 The inlet area of the pump suction pipe is too small
8 Pump installation position is too high
9 The installation distance between the pump and the tank is too long
10 Pump drive shaft speed is too high
11 Pump rotation speed is too high (variable displacement unit)
12 Too many elbows in the pump inlet line
13 The inlet pipe shut-off valve causes excessive turbulence
14 Shrinkage and deformation of pump inlet pipe hose
15 Other constraints that may be caused by the pump inlet pipe
16 Anti-cavitation or load control valve failure or incorrect adjustment
17 The pressure gradient drops too much, the working pressure is too fast
18 .... (your message)
Regardless of the cause, cavitation will damage the long-term reliability of any hydraulic system. This means that tolerating it is a costly mistake.