High-speed photography of surface geometry effects in liquid/solid impact

Recent theoretical studies of liquid/solid impact, in particular the geometric wave theory of Lesser and Field, have emphasized the importance of the detailed geometry in the contact area. In parallel with the theoretical work, we have developed a two-dimensional technique using gels for impact and shock studies. A combination of high-speed photography and schlieren optics allows the shocks in the liquid and solid, if it is transparent, to be visualized, as well as important processes, such as jetting, to be recorded. This paper describes the gel technique and gives results for a range of surface geometries for collision velocities of a few hundred meters per second. The relevance to damage initiation in liquid/solid impact problems, such as rain erosion, steam turbine blade erosion, and cavitation, are discussed.