Abstract

Spectroscopic measurements and mathematical simulations are used to study the composition and parameters of spark discharge in depositing coatings with silver electrodes using an Elitron-22 generator. The effective temperature and electron concentration are measured at the maximal value of pulse current. It is shown that the intensity of spectral lines of atoms and ions is proportional to the erosion rates of composite Ag- and Ag-C anode. Pressure in the current channel is calculated taking into account the pinch-effect (~ 1 MPa). It is shown that temperature of the material in the anode spot reaches the boiling point of Ag under about 1 MPa (~ 3200–3300 K). A mathematical model is used to study the influence of erosion rate, power, and pressure on plasma parameters and intensity of spectral lines of anode materials. The method proposed allows evaluating the efficiency of material transfer in the vapor phase in spark deposition of coatings. A method for quantitative spectral determination of carbon in Ag–C material using spectral lines of double-charged ions of C and Ag is developed.