Investigation of the plasma composition of a discharge with a self-heating hollow cathode and an active anode in a gas mixture with titanium and hexamethyldisilazane vapors

The analysis of composition of low-pressure (~0.1-1 mTorr) hollow cathode arc plasma in Ar+N2 gas mixture with Ti+hexamethyldisilazane vapors was carried out by optical emission spectroscopy. The influence of HMDS flow rate (1-10 g/h), discharge current (10-50 A) and Ti-vapors flow on hexamethyldisilazane decomposition degree and plasma composition and was investigated. The proposed plasma activation method provides both an intense flow and a high activation degree of metal vapors, and a sufficient decomposition degree of precursor vapors for the formation of solid TiSiCN coatings at a high deposition rate. Test coatings with a thickness of 6 microns and a hardness of 31 GPa were obtained in 1 hour at 400ºC.

Structure and electrochemical behaviour of weldments of titanium Grade 1 in a bromine-containing solution

Purpose: The presented research aims to determine the microstructural changes in weldments of commercially pure titanium Grade 1 after welding by hollow cathode arc discharge in vacuum and related changes in the corrosion behaviour of the weldments. Design/methodology/approach: Macro and microstructure of weldments were studied using optical microscopy. Corrosion behaviour of untreated Grade 1 and heat-affected zone of weldments of Grade 1 was investigated using electrochemical testing, including open circuit potential measurements and potentiodynamic polarisation. As an aggressive environment, 1 M KBr water solution was used. Findings: Welding by hollow cathode arc discharge in vacuum leads to the formation of a coarse Widmanstätten structure in the heat-affected zone. This imperfect structure results in a passive layer with worsened protective properties, thus increasing the corrosion rate of weldments by up to two orders of magnitude compared to Grade 1 in as-received condition. The passive layer on the welded surfaces did not allow Grade 1 to acquire a stable corrosion potential during potenitodynamic polarization. Research limitations/implications: Titanium and its alloys are passivating metallic materials, and their corrosion resistance depends on the properties of a thin protective surface layer. Changes in the underlying metal microstructure can affect the passivation behaviour of titanium and the properties of this layer. Welding by hollow cathode arc discharge in vacuum alters the microstructure of heat-affected zone, thereby causing Widmanstätten microstructure to form. As the passive layer over that microstructure has worsened protective properties, we suggest additional heat treatment after welding to be applied. Future experimental research on this topic is needed. Originality/value: Welding by hollow cathode arc discharge in vacuum is a welding method allowing weldments to be done in a clean environment and even in space. In the specialised literature, information on the structure and corrosion resistance of weldments of commercially pure titanium Grade 1 welded by hollow cathode arc discharge in vacuum is missing. The present research fills in a tiny part of this gap in our knowledge.

Computer Intelligent Numerical Simulation of TIG Welding Using Platy Tungsten Electrode

In order to reveal the law of arc plasma flow and heat transfer in the process of flat tungsten electrode TIG welding as auxiliary heat source for hardfacing of cast iron surface. According to the free burning TIG arc using platy tungsten electrode, A three dimensional (3D) model for tungsten inert gas welding using platy tungsten electrode has been developed. The whole region of platy tungsten TIG arc, namely, platy tungsten cathode, arc plasma and anode surface is treated in a unified numerical model. By using fluent software to do the second development of equations source and solve these equations, the distribution of temperature, velocity and current density are obtained. The simulation results show that the current of flat tungsten electrode is more dispersed, and the heat generation of arc is more dispersed, which leads to the decrease of arc temperature; The current density on the cathode is much higher than that on the anode.