Abstract
The gas spark switch is the most used key device in pulsed power systems. As a difficult problem affecting the performance of the gas spark switch, electrode erosion has always been of wide concern and has been studied by scholars. In order to reduce electrode erosion, the erosion resistance of the electrode materials is particularly critical. At present, researchers at home and abroad mainly perform a large number of experiments to compare the erosion resistance of different electrode materials, which require a lot of time and are expensive. Based on the theoretical derivation of the erosion heat conduction process and the analysis of the molten pool movement process, a theoretical prediction model of erosion resistance of electrode materials is established in this paper. The prediction results of this model are consistent with the experimental results of most researchers in the past. In order to further verify the accuracy of this model, this paper selected six electrode materials [stainless steel, brass, RHEAs (Refractory High Entropy Alloys), 90WCu alloy, 70WCu alloy, and 50WCu alloy] tested for 10 000 times under the experimental conditions of a peak current of 30 kA, a single discharge charge transfer of 78 mC, and 2 bars dry air. The final experimental results show that the six electrode materials ranked from weak to strong in erosion resistance: brass, stainless steel, 50WCu, 70WCu, RHEAs, and 90WCu, which is consistent with the prediction results of the model.
Highlights
In recent years, pulsed power technology has been greatly developed and applied in more and more new fields
In order to further verify the accuracy of the model, this paper selected six different electrode materials to carry out experiments, and the final experimental results are consistent with the predicted results of the model
It can be seen that the prediction results of the erosion resistance constant Rerosion for these electrode materials are consistent with the experimental results of these researchers, so it can be preliminarily judged that the erosion resistance constant can accurately predict the erosion resistance performance of different electrode materials, and melting point, density, specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, surface tension coefficient, and viscosity may be the key factors affecting the erosion resistance of electrode materials
Summary
In recent years, pulsed power technology has been greatly developed and applied in more and more new fields. Xi’an University of Technology has studied the arc erosion characteristics of Cu–Cr–Zr alloys treated by plastic deformation and microalloying at 8 and 16 kV breakdown voltage and compared them with untreated Cu–Cr–Zr alloys.. The final experimental results show that the mass loss of the Cu–Cr–Zr alloy treated by plastic deformation and microalloying is obviously smaller than that of the untreated Cu–Cr–Zr alloy. Plastic deformation and microalloying have the effects of solid solution strengthening, fine grain strengthening, precipitation strengthening, and deformation strengthening, and the increase in grain boundaries and secondary phases brought about by these effects inhibits the flow and sputtering of molten electrode materials, reducing mass loss. In order to further verify the accuracy of the model, this paper selected six different electrode materials to carry out experiments, and the final experimental results are consistent with the predicted results of the model
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
