Electric arc discharge between brass electrodes: peculiarities of plasma spectroscopy and change in the microstructure of working electrode layers

Abstract

Plasma diagnostics of free-burning arc discharge between brass electrodes was performed by methods of laser absorption spectroscopy and optical emission spectroscopy at a current strength of 3,5 and 30 A. The coincidence of the results obtained by these methods confirms the local thermodynamic equilibrium in plasma under these conditions. Zn I spectral lines and their spectroscopic data of were selected and recommendations were made concerning possibilities of their use for determination of temperature and electron density in zinc-added plasma. Also, peculiarities of the behavior of zinc in brass electrodes under the action of electric arc were studied. The regularities of zinc flow onto the working electrode surface and the role of the zinc in the arc performance were defined. Full text download