Melt formation on the graphite electrode surface in a diffuse arc discharge

Аннотация

We present the results of investigation of a discharge with a current of 15–200 A between graphite electrodes at argon pressure of 10–90 kPa after long-term specimen heating by the DC at a temperature of about 3 kK. The change in the electrode shape is evidence of the existence of a melt film on the electrode surfaces at the temperature of 3.3–3.5 kK. The anode vaporization velocity is in agreement with the data on the pressure of the saturated vapor of the atomic carbon.