Heterogeneous Nucleation, Influence of Heterophase Fluctuations on the Cavitation Strength, and the Supercooling of Liquids with Phase Inclusions

Disagreement between the experimental cavitation strength of liquids and theoretical values calculated for a pure liquid [1] is explained by the presence of different inclusions [1,2] and is referred to as heterogeneous nucleation. Let us consider the basics of heterogeneous nucleation in a liquid in the presence of a sound field. Usually the cavitation strength of a liquid is calculated on the assumption of a loss of mechanical stability between the balance of internal and external pressure and this method does not take into account thermodynamic aspect of a problem at all. In the present work, it is shown that additionally heterophase fluctuations should be taken into account. This reduces the obtained cavitation strength. Taking into account this mechanism is very important for homogeneous nucleation, and turns out to be essential for heterogeneous nucleation.