The effect of low concentrations of a polyatomic gas in argon on erosion on copper cathodes in a magnetically rotated arc

Experimental results are presented for electrode erosion on Cu cathodes in magnetically rotated arcs in Ar, dry air, nitrogen, ammonia, and carbon monoxide as well mixtures of the above with argon. Water-saturated argon was also used. Erosion rates were determined by weight loss after chemical clean...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plasma chemistry and plasma processing 1987-09, Vol.7 (3), p.349-364
Main Authors: SZENTE, R. N, MUNZ, R. J, DROUET, M. G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Electric discharges
Exact sciences and technology
Physics
Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges
Physics of plasmas and electric discharges
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Summary:Experimental results are presented for electrode erosion on Cu cathodes in magnetically rotated arcs in Ar, dry air, nitrogen, ammonia, and carbon monoxide as well mixtures of the above with argon. Water-saturated argon was also used. Erosion rates were determined by weight loss after chemical cleaning, and the runs were sufficiently long (between 5 to 60 min) to represent stready-state operation. Arc currents of 100 A and gas pressure s of 1.1 atm were used. Pure argon gave the highest erosion rates and the lowest arc velocities. Small concentrations of any of the diatomic gases in argon greatly increased the arc velocity and decreased the erosion rates. The results suggest that erosion is primarily a thermal phenomenon but the the surface chemistry can greatly influence erosion rates by modifying arc behavior. 13 ref.--AA
ISSN:0272-4324
1572-8986
DOI:10.1007/BF01016522