Q&A Resource
Is water hammer a form of erosion or something else?
Answer
Water hammer is not a form of erosion but rather a hydraulic shock or pressure surge that occurs when a fluid in motion is suddenly forced to stop or change direction. This rapid change in flow velocity creates a pressure wave, which can cause significant mechanical stress on pipes, valves, and other system components.
While water hammer itself doesn’t directly cause erosion, the extreme pressure fluctuations it generates can lead to damage like:
- Mechanical deformation: Pipes or valves may deform or rupture under the sudden pressure surge.
- Fatigue failure: Repeated water hammer events can weaken components over time, leading to fatigue cracking or failure.
- Vibration and loosening: It can cause vibrations that loosen fittings and damage connections.
In some cases, if water hammer leads to cavitation (the formation and collapse of vapor bubbles), it could indirectly result in cavitation erosion, but water hammer itself is considered a hydraulic event, not an erosive process.
