The performance of a representative 2D propeller section was investigated in rectilinear flow to determine the impact of small in-tolerance leading-edge defects on cavitation. A DTMB Mod NACA-66 blade section with 4% thickness and 1.4% camber was taken as representative of a blade section where leading-edge sheet cavitation might be expected. Composite models (1 m chord by 0.525 m span) comprising a perfect and defective section with a leading-edge defect were tested in the cavitation tunnel with a 1 m x 1 m cross-section measurement section. Cavitation inception was observed visually on models of the perfect and defective sections. Leading-edge defects of 0.5 mm and 0.25 mm were investigated. These defects were shown to affect cavitation inception significantly and detrimentally.

Keywords:
shipbuilding, defect, tunnel, cavitation tunnel, reduction, marine transportation, canada government, cavitation inception, in-tolerance leading-edge defect, desinence
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