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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/L82281/01
Title: A STUDY OF MIXED GAS PLASMAS FOR MATERIALS PROCESSING
Principal Investigator: Blackman, Mr SA
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Sch of Industrial and Manufacturing Scie
Organisation: Cranfield University
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 30 October 1998 Ends: 29 October 2001 Value (£): 172,491
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation Plasmas - Technological
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Plasmas comprising two or more chemical species are common in materials processing technologies such as welding, cutting, surfacing, waste destruction and chemical manufacture. The influence of material concentration levels on the behaviour and structure of such arcs is of considerable industrial interest. However, in the absence of detailed physical information, development has been based on trial and error methods, with observation of aggregate effects rather than a detailed understanding of the structural modifications within the plasma. This study will examine the influence of gas and metal vapour introduction on TIG welding arcs using spectroscopic and needle probe techniques, and will provide data on temperatures and particle densities and how these vary as a function of concentration. By comparing these different techniques, information will be derived concerning their validity and that of the underlying physical models upon which interpretation of the results is based. This is particularly pertinent with regard to the assumption local thermal equilibrium (LTE) which affects the applicability of the Saha equation; and charge capture behaviour, which is related to plasma - electrode interactions. It is anticipated that this research will provide a baseline for further near market and fundamental physical studies of these industrially relevant plasmas.
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Organisation Website: http://www.cranfield.ac.uk