AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF HIGH-CURRENT ARCS IN ARGON WITH GRAPHITE-ELECTRODES

An experimental investigation of high-current transferred arcs operati ng in argon between graphite electrodes is presented. This includes me asurements of cathode and plasma temperatures and measurements of eros ion rates for cathodes using different grades of graphite. The measure ments and visual observation of the are show that the are operates in two different modes depending upon the are current and the cathode com position. A description of these modes is presented and it is shown th at the are behaviour is greatly influenced by the properties of the ca thode materials.