Electrode Erosion in a High Energy Spark Gap
Abstract
The erosion rates for hemispherical electrodes, 2.5 cm in diameter, made of graphite, copper-graphite, brass, two types of copper-tungsten, and three types of stainless steel have been examined in a spark gap filled with air or nitrogen at one atmosphere. The electrodes were subjected to 50,000 unipolar pulses (25 micro s, 4-25 kA, 5-30 kV, 0.1-0.6 Coul/shot) at repetition rates ranging from 0.5 to 5 pulses per second (pps). Severe surface conditioning occurred, resulting in the formation of several spectacular surface patterns (craters up to 0.6 cm in diameter and nipples and dendrites up to 0.2 cm in height). Surface damage was limited to approximately 80 micro m in depth and was considerably less in nitrogen gas than in air. Anode erosion rates varied from a slight gain for several materials in nitrogen to 5 micro cm3/Coul for graphite in air.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA638332
Entities
People
- A. L. Donaldson
- G. Jackson
- L. Hatfield
- M . Kristiansen
- M. O. Hagler
Organizations
- Texas Tech University