Cavitation in Hydraulic Pumps

A gravel-like noise from a hydraulic pump is, more often than not, the first sign of cavitation. Ignore it and within weeks it turns into permanent damage to the pump housing.

1. How Cavitation Forms

When pressure in the pump's suction line drops below the oil's vapor pressure, microscopic vapor bubbles form inside the oil. When these bubbles reach the high-pressure zone of the pump, they collapse suddenly and create microscopic impacts on the metal surface.

1.1. Typical Suction-Line Causes

A suction line that's too long or too narrow, a clogged suction filter, or a low reservoir level all cause suction-side pressure to drop more than it should.

• Noise: metallic/gravel-like sound, grows louder with RPM
• Pressure Fluctuation: irregularity in pump output pressure
• Temperature Rise: abnormal increase in system temperature
• Early Wear: faster-than-expected wear on the pump housing

"Continuing to run the pump after hearing cavitation noise turns a few weeks of noise into an expensive failure requiring housing replacement."

— BRS PROSES Engineering Team

2. BRS Proses Cavitation Analysis

• On-site suction line design review
• Reservoir level and filter position check
• Oil viscosity/temperature compatibility analysis
• Pump housing revision/replacement support