An investigation of unipolar arcing in various conductors and metallic glasses
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 1981
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Subjects: Physics
Description: An investigation of unipolar arcing in various conductors and surface preparations was undertaken. A discussion on the production of 'glassy' surfaces on various metals, and their susceptability to unipolar arcing is also presented. All experiments were conducted using a neodymium glass laser in a Q- switched mode to generate a hot plasma. Results show that stainless steel and mild commercial steel arc are very heavily, in agreement with past researchers, while titanium undergoes arcing at a lesser crater density but over a greater surface area, HY 130 undergoes arcing at a low crater density, and a commercially prepared metallic glass Fe80B20 and Poco graphite not at all. Experiments were conducted in attempt to produce metallic glass coatings on stainless steel, HY 130, and a mild commercial steel (1030). Coatings produced were exposed to a laser produced plasma and arcing was found to be present in all cases but at a lower arc density. In conjunction with attempts to produce metallic glass surface coatings on metals, an experiment was done to determine the energy density required for the onset of plasma production in type 304 stainless steel. (Author)
Notes: Thesis (M.S. in Physics)--Naval Postgraduate School, 1981.

Bibliography: l. 116-117.