An experimental study of the dependence on the current intensity of the erosion of thoriated tungsten cathodes in plasma arcs
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Author
Sicilia Flores, Rafael
Muñoz Serrano, Encarnación
Colomer Viadel, Vicente
Casado Revuelta, Eduardo
Publisher
IEEEDate
2001Subject
W-Tho2 CathodeThoriated Tungsten
Heaters
Electrode Erosion
Cathode Erosion
Arc Plasma
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The erosion occurring in thoriated tungsten cathodes used in transferred plasma torches operating with current intensities ranging from 30 to 210 A has been experimentally investigated. The cathode erosion rate was determined by measuring the cathode's weight loss after arcing, and the eroded cathode surface was explored by scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. It has been discovered that a critical current intensity, I-CR similar to 50 A, exists for which the cathode erosion rate becomes maximum.