2019, Baeva, M., Siewert, E., Uhrlandt, D.

We present results obtained by two non-equilibrium modelling approaches and experiments on low-intensity short-length arcs in argon at atmospheric pressure. The first one considers a quasi-neutral arc column combined with boundary conditions on the electrodes based on the energy balance in the space-charge sheaths. The second approach applies a unified description over the entire gap and solves the Poisson equation for the self-consistent electric field. The experiments provide the arc voltage.

2019, Methling, R., Franke, St., Götte, N., Wetzeler, S., Uhrlandt, D.

A model circuit breaker in a high-pressure chamber filled with CO2 atmosphere is used to operate a wall-stabilized arc of several kilo-amperes between tungsten-copper electrodes surrounded by polytetrafluoroethylene nozzles. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) is carried out via quartz plates inserted into the nozzles using a combination of an imaging spectrometer either with a high-speed video camera or with an ICCD camera. Depending on the nozzle geometry and the current, continuum from C2 Swan bands was detected as absorption as well as emission pattern. After current zero, optical absorption spectroscopy (OAS) using a xenon flashlamp as broadband background radiator was applied. An absorption around 493 nm was detected and attributed to CuF molecules. The study proofs the existence of C2 in the active phase and the formation of CuF near to current zero.

2019, Derevyankin, P., Frolov, V., Gonzalez, D., Gortschakow, S., Methling, R., Uhrlandt, D.

Results of the erosion resistance study of the CuC electrodes manufactured by plasma spraying technology are presented. The diagnostics has have been performed by means of high-speed camera technique and optical emission spectroscopy which has been synchronised with electrical diagnostics. After the load material analyses, namely determination of mass loss and analysis of micro sections, have been done. It has been found that the erosion rate depends on conditions applied for the formation of coating layer, which was deposited either in air or in argon plasma. Furthermore, the erosion rate is significantly lower in the case of air plasma spraying.