Pressure buildup in the gap between an impacting disc and a free liquid surface causes the liquid surface to deform prior to impact, leading to the entrapment of a gas pocket beneath the disc upon impact. The nature of the entrapped gas can significantly influence the impact dynamics. For instance, an air pocket was found to provide air cushioning and mitigate the impact load exerted on the disc. However, in the case of boiling liquid impact, where the liquid is in thermodynamic equilibrium with its own vapour phase, we found that an entrapped vapour pocket may impair this cushioning effect. Under the right conditions, the entrapped vapour pocket condenses due to compression upon impact, which significantly accelerates its contraction. Rapid collapse of the vapour pocket induces high impact pressure on the disc surface. Understanding the dynamics of boiling liquid impacts will enable the reliable design of cryogenic fuel tanks for safe transportation.
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