Cavitation in Machine Elements: A Critical Review of Cavitation Damage, Experimental Methods, Standardization Challenges, and Applied Digital Technologies

Cavitation in machine elements is often accompanied by surface degradation, material loss, and a reduction in functional performance and reliability. Despite extensive research on cavitation in hydraulic systems, its role in the behavior and durability of machine elements remains insufficiently addressed. This paper presents a critical review of cavitation and cavitation-induced erosion in machine elements, based on an analysis of relevant literature and standards. The study covers different types of components, including gears, plain and rolling bearings, and seals, with particular attention to the mechanisms of damage and the methods used for their investigation. The analysis shows that, although the fundamental mechanisms of cavitation are well understood and standardized testing methods are available, their application to machine elements is limited. Existing standards are not sufficiently adapted to specific components, while current numerical and experimental approaches rarely provide a direct link between cavitation phenomena and material degradation. The findings indicate the need for improved standardization, development of integrated modelling approaches, and a closer connection between cavitation mechanisms and the performance characteristics of machine elements. The presented analysis is relevant for design, reliability assessment, maintenance strategies, and the development of cavitation-resistant machine components in hydraulic and mechanical systems.