Research Directed for Development of Coating Electrothermal Technology

The optimization of the discharge gap electrodes of electrothermal launcher operating in repetitive regime as well as the use of erosion-proof materials resulted in diminishing their erosion wear by more than an order. The analysis based on the developed physical models and performed experiments made it possible to determine the ablating layers dynamics as well as the ablation wear of corundum ceramic insulators which appeared to be equal to 1 mg/pulse. Resource tests of the discharge gap and accelerating channel elements revealed existence of self breakdowns in the discharge gap after 2000 operational pulses. They were caused by the modification of the ceramic bush surface and accumulation of electrode erosion products on the surface. The inclusion of a controlled vacuum switch in the electric supply circuit of the gap made it possible to maintain its electric strength over long period of time. The optimization of geometric dimensions of the discharge gap capillary part resulted in decreasing of the discharge current by more than one third and diminishing the equipment energy consumption.