Where does cavitation erosion normally occur on a wet liner?

Cavitation erosion typically occurs where there is a significant pressure drop during engine operation, leading to the formation of vapor bubbles that can collapse and cause damage to surfaces with which they come into contact. In the context of a wet liner, this phenomenon is most prevalent in areas that experience high levels of turbulence and pressure fluctuations due to the movement of the piston.

When the engine operates, the piston thrust faces are exposed to these conditions as the piston moves up and down, creating areas of low pressure followed by high pressure. This cycle facilitates the formation of vapor bubbles when coolant flows rapidly past these areas. Over time, the collapse of these bubbles can erode the liner surface, particularly where the coolant encounters high-impact forces created by the piston’s movement.

While other areas, such as near the coolant inlet or at the lower liner support, may encounter issues related to temperature and pressure, they do not experience the same level of cavitation effects as the piston thrust faces. Therefore, the alignment of cavitation erosion with the piston thrust faces is a critical factor in understanding its location on a wet liner.