The study determined effects of silt particles with various mean diameter (mm) and concentration (%) on cavitation flow. Average lift coefficient, drag coefficient, and lift-drag ratio of silt particle-water cavitation flow (SPWCF) were smaller than in pure water cavitation flow (PWCF): all decreased as concentration increased. Dominant frequency, cavitation evolution speed, and vapor content were larger than in PWCF. Silt particles promoted cavitation development. Cavitation nuclei grew increasingly abundant and slip velocity was higher than in PWCF. Vortex numbers at front and middle and high-vorticity regions were larger than in PWCF. Under 0.001 mm, 1% or 0.005 mm and 1%, 5%, vortex distribution scopes and high-vorticity regions at trailing edge were slightly larger than in PWCF. For others, the distribution scopes, numbers of vortices, and high-vorticity regions were evidently larger than in PWCF. Saffman lift force and virtual mass force were more intense in SPWCF. These factors promoted SPWCF development. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier B.V.