The simple relation to estimate the cathode spot radius of a vacuum arc of pure metals is obtained. On its basis, is established between the cathode spot radius and the size of droplets generated by the cathode spot a correlation. This enables to find ways to reduce droplets in the plasma flow, which forms coatings by the vacuum electric arc method. The paper presents the results of experimental study of the droplet sizes depending on the vacuum arc current iд. The size and amount of the droplets on an area of 1 mm2 of the coating surface are determined using the ImageSP program. As the initial data, the microstructures of the coatings are used with an increase of: ç100, ç200, ç500, ç1000, ç1500. The droplets have been generated by a cathode spot of a vacuum arc for the alloy of the composition, at.%: 68Al–8Cr–4Nb–20Si. It is established that the number of droplets with a diameter of < 2 μm is generated most of all, and the number of droplets with a diameter > 10 μm is generated least of all. The number of generated droplets with a diameter from 2 to 10 μm slightly depends on the arc current iд. It is noted that the diameter of the alloy droplet is smaller than the diameter of the droplets generated by the cathode spot on its components due to the fact that the radius of the cathode spot on the alloy is smaller than the radius of the cathode spot on its pure components.
Emission Spectroscopy During High-Current Anode Modes in Vacuum Arc
