Bubbles Everywhere: Cavitation and the Cooling System [E220]

E220 - Bubbles Everywhere: Cavitation and the Cooling System [E220]

Published: January 21, 2026

Duration: 19:58

Thanks to our Partner, Pico Technology

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Matt goes down a rabbit hole on the science of bubbles and comes back with something surprisingly practical: cavitation is a major source of cooling-system component damage, especially in and around water pumps. The “bad guy” isn’t the bubble forming—it’s the bubble collapsing, releasing intense localized energy, micro-jetting, and shock waves that pit and erode metal surfaces over time. The takeaway: approach cooling-system maintenance as anti-cavitation prevention, not just “keep it from overheating.”

Key topics covered

Why cavitation damage is ofte...