Distribution Of Vapor Density Affected By Cathode Spot Area Of Vacuum Arc

Establishment of surface treatment technology using vacuum arc is expected in order to form a recycling-oriented society. Thus, it is required for elucidation of the quantity of vapor exerted by the area of vacuum arc cathode spot. However, it is difficult to elucidate this phenomenon with the experiment because the vacuum arc cathode spot is high temperature and high speed. Therefore, it is expected to elucidate this phenomenon with simulation. In this paper, the distribution of vapor density affected by the area of vacuum arc cathode spot is elucidated with 3D electromagnetic thermal fluid simulation. As a result, the quantity of metal vapor decreases with increasing the area of cathode spot. Because the current density decreases with increasing the area of cathode spot. Thus, Joule heat generation in the space decreases, and heat input to the cathode decreases. Therefore, the quantity of metal vapor decreases with increasing the area of cathode spot. In the future, the asymmetric distribution of vapor density is analyzed in order to control the cathode spot with the transverse magnetic field.