Erosion resistance of refractory-metal base sintered materials in a stationary arc

Replacing tungsten with molybdenum is an effective means of reducing the consumption of the strategic metal. The magnitude and dynamics of electrical erosion wear are determined not only by the properties of the electrode material but also by the character of the irreversible structural changes taking place in the working layer under the action of the arc discharge. Electrical erosion resistance is increased by suitable alloying, with allowance for the nature of phase transitions in the electrode material and for the action of the atmosphere during the interruption of current.