Erosion of thermionic cathodes in a plasma torch
A.S. Anshakov, P.V. Domarov
Kutateladze Institute of Thermophysics SB RAS, Novosibirsk , Russia
Keywords: electric arc plasma torch, thermocathode, electron emission, current density, heat flux, electrode erosion, service life
Abstract
The results of studies of solid tungsten rod-type cathodes in different gases are presented. The thermal states of the electrodes under the action of cathode plasma, radiation and joule heat release are determined. The thermal nature of the rate of destruction (erosion) of the thermocathode is shown depending on the main determining parameters of the arc discharge and the design features of the cathode node. The obtained experimental data indicate the possibility of a long service life of W-cathodes in technological plasma torches.
|
