Erosion craters on Ti3SiC2 anode

The erosion behavior of pure Ti3SiC2 anode under vacuum discharge was investigated. By means of X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy, the decomposition of Ti3SiC2 into nonstoichiometric TiCx, amorphous carbon and other by-products was proved. The surface morphology was revealed by scanning electron microscope and 3D super depth digital microscope. Different kinds of craters with diameters varying from a few microns to a few hundred microns were observed on the anode surface after arcing. The smaller craters contain some TiCx, with a few tens of microns in diameter, are flower-like shaped with a protrusion pointing out from the center of the crater bottom. The larger craters are basically composed of TiCx, have diameters greater than one hundred microns but without the central protrusions, and are surrounded by collapse-fissures.