Electrode erosion research of gas spark gap

Electrode erosion of gas spark gaps (GSGs) with Mo, WCu, and W main electrodes in current discharge was studied. Micrographs and erosion rates of GSG electrodes after erosion were investigated. Characteristic of electrode erosion was also analyzed. The main electrode erosion rates of Mo, WCu, and W GSG switches are 3.3210-2, 2.6310-2, and 1.7410-2 C-1m-2, respectively. The W GSG exhibits the minimum main electrode erosion rate. The experimental results indicate that main electrodes are heavily ablated at the center and present cracks and holes evidently. The main electrodes of Mo GSG exhibit melted state on the surface and Mo cathode presents a great quantity of cracks with 10 m in width and pores with 10 m in diameter. A few sphere W saliences with 20 m in diameter form on the surface of main electrodes of WCu and W GSG switches. Splashing particles are deposited on the inwall of sleeve of GSG. The WCu, Mo and W switches present the biggest deposited particles with 10 m in diameter, mediate particles with 2 m in diameter, and the smallest particles with diameter less than 1 m, respectively. Therefore, tungsten which presents excellent anti-erosion performance could be selected firstly as main electrode materials of GSG.