Resource Characteristics of Tubular Copper Electrodes in Electric Arc Plasma Torches¹

Abstract

The resource of plasma torches and plasma devices on their basis depends strongly on the rate of destruction (erosion) of the electrodes. Experimental data on the erosion of copper electrodes in DC arc plasma torches are presented. In dependence on the design of plasma devices and their technological applications, the electrodes (cathode and anode) are in different thermal conditions and their resource characteristics differ significantly. The key parameters for optimization of the erosion characteristics during operation of plasma torches with an electrode resource of many hundreds of hours have been established.