The Tensile Strength of Water as a Function of Temperature

This paper reports the results of measurements of the effective tensile strength F_c of water, in experiments involving a pulse of tension (‘negative pressure’) created by the reflection of a pressure pulse at a boundary, as a function of temperature. Using a modified ‘Bullet-Piston’ (B-P) pulse reflection apparatus, measurements presented herein show that degassed, deionised water is capable of sustaining tensions an order of magnitude greater than previously reported in B-P work. A theoretical explanation is developed indicating that the pressure records arising in B-P experiments are the result of cavitation due to a pulse of tension. Results are reported for measurements of F_c made over the temperature range 1°C ≤ T ≤ 95°C.