학술논문
An experimental study of the dependence on the current intensity of the erosion of thoriated tungsten cathodes in plasma arcs
Document Type
Periodical
Author
Source
IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on. 29(6):888-894 Dec, 2001
Subject
Language
ISSN
0093-3813
1939-9375
1939-9375
Abstract
The erosion occurring in thoriated tungsten cathodes used in transferred plasma torches operating with current intensities ranging from 30 to 210 A has been experimentally investigated. The cathode erosion rate was determined by measuring the cathode's weight loss after arcing, and the eroded cathode surface was explored by a scanning electron microscope and an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. It has been discovered that a critical current intensity, I/sub CR/ /spl sim/ 50 A, exists for which the cathode erosion rate becomes maximum.