It is shown that at volumetric crystallization of the undercooled melt the high negative pressures are generated in this melt; they are caused by matter shrinkage at solidification, what leads to intensive cavitation of uncrystallized melt. The mechanisms are studied and the kinetic model of this process is presented here. Considerable dependence of cavitation intensity on the cooling rate is shown. Numerical solutions to the problem are found at the example of cavitation of crystallizing metal melts. The sizes of crystalline grains and formed cavitation inclusions in the solidified material are determined. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.