Energy features of the vacuum-arc remelting of hollow consumable electrodes

Abstract

The presence of the axial cavity in the electrode helps concentrate the electric arc in the central zone~ This is because the axial cavity distorts the equipotential surfaces of the electrical field in the arc gap. This distortion causes the electrons to be concentrated mainly in the zone of the cavity, which increases ionization of the metal vapors and stabilizes the concentrated plasma flow in the central part of the electrode~ As a result, peripheral melting of the electrode surface is impeded even with a relatively long arc.