Arc erosion behavior and mechanism of Cu/Ti3SiC2 composites in c-C4F8/CO2 and c-C4F8/N2 mixtures

Abstract

In this paper, the arc erosion behavior and mechanism of Cu/Ti3SiC2 composites in c-C4F8/CO2 and c-C4F8/N2 mixtures was investigated at 7.5 kV. The c-C4F8/CO2 and c-C4F8/N2 mixtures were selected at the ratio of 50/50, 75/25, 90/10, respectively. By studying arc erosion behavior including breakdown strength, arc energy, time constant, optical image of arc and erosion morphology, it is considered that the c-C4F8/N2 mixture at the ratio of 75/25 is the best protective atmosphere. Whether in c-C4F8/CO2 or c-C4F8/N2 mixture, CuF2 and CFx were detected at erosion area. Oxidation and nitridation phenomena were found in c-C4F8/CO2 and c-C4F8/N2 mixtures, respectively. Strong capability of capturing electrons and positive synergistic effect in c-C4F8/N2 mixture make it difficult to generate arc discharge.