Arc erosion behavior of Cu-Ti3SiC2 cathode and anode

Ti3SiC2 and Cu-Ti3SiC2 composite were prepared by means of powder metallurgy method and their arc erosion behaviors were investigated by SEM, XRD, EDS and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Erosion craters were formed after first vacuum breakdown; TiCx was detected as a decomposition product of Ti3SiC2 electrodes and Cu-Ti3SiC2 cathodes and anodes. It is found that Ti3SiC2 particles are more vulnerable to vacuum arc erosion than Cu matrix in the Cu-Ti3SiC2 composite. Most of the arc erosion focused on the Ti3SiC2 particles during the breakdown. There are no erosion pits or craters formed on the Cu-Ti3SiC2 anode surface, but significant amount of Mo that transferred from the Mo cathode was detected. Reaction between Mo and Ti3SiC2 was also observed on the Cu-Ti3SiC2 anode surface.