Obrabotka metallov

OBRABOTKA METALLOV

METAL WORKING AND MATERIAL SCIENCE
Print ISSN: 1994-6309    Online ISSN: 2541-819X
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Recent issue
Vol. 27, No 3 July – September 2025

Patterns of reverse-polarity plasma torches wear during cutting of thick rolled sheets

Vol. 26, No 3 July – September 2024
Authors:

Sidorov Evgeny,
Grinenko Artem,
Chumaevsky Andrey,
Panfilov Alexander,
Knyazhev Evgeny,
Nikolaeva Alexandra,
Cheremnov Andrey,
Rubtsov Valery,
Utyaganova Veronika,
Osipovich Ksenia,
Kolubaev Evgeniy
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17212/1994-6309-2024-26.3-149-162
Abstract

The introduction describes the features of the process of plasma cutting of various metals and alloys using reverse-polarity plasma torches with and the features of cutting thick sheets. The purpose of the work is to study the wear process of plasma torches operating on reverse polarity current when cutting thick rolled sheets of aluminum and titanium alloys. Research methods include optical and scanning electron microscopy, filming of the cutting process and visual inspection of plasma torch elements after receiving specimens. Results and discussion. The section shows the appearance of the main working elements of the plasma torch after cutting in various modes, which led to both stable and gradual wear and to catastrophic failure of the plasma torch. The results of structural studies of the main characteristic zones of nozzles and electrodes after cutting are presented. The studies carried out made it possible to establish the main reasons for the failure of the working elements reverse-polarity plasma torches. The causes of catastrophic failure of plasma torches include failure to maintain the gap between the nozzle and the electrode and melting of the channel of gas supply into the discharge chamber. The wear of nozzles and electrodes in a stable mode can be intensified due to abnormal operation of the starting arc, the presence of manufacturing inaccuracies and excess gas pressure. In conclusion, the main conclusions based on the results of the research are formulated. The process of wear of electrodes, nozzles and body elements of plasma torches during operation at high electric arc power values is described.


Keywords: Plasma cutting, macrostructure, wear, nozzle, electrode, heat affected zone, metal melting, cutting parameters

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Acknowledgements. Funding

Funding

The results were obtained in the framework of the Integrated Project “Establishment of production of high-tech equipment for adaptive high-precision plasma heavy cutting of non-ferrous metals for the metallurgical, aerospace and transport industries of the Russian Federation” (Agreement No. 075-11-2022-012 dated April 06, 2022) implemented by the ISPMS SB RAS at the financial support of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation as part of Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 218 dated April 09, 2010.

 

Acknowledgements

Research was partially conducted at core facility “Structure, mechanical and physical properties of materials” and center “Nanotech” ISPMS RAS.

For citation:

Sidorov E.A., Grinenko A.V., Chumaevsky A.V., Pan?lov A.O., Knyazhev E.O., Nikolaeva A.V., Cheremnov A.M., Rubtsov V.E., Utyaganova V.R., Osipovich K.S., Kolubaev E.A. Patterns of reverse-polarity plasma torches wear during cutting of thick rolled sheets. Obrabotka metallov (tekhnologiya, oborudovanie, instrumenty) = Metal Working and Material Science, 2024, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 149–162. DOI: 10.17212/1994-6309-2024-26.3-149-162. (In Russian).

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