Influencing the arc behavior in cascaded single-arc DC plasma generator (DC-EKEAPG) to improve process stability and coating properties

• Applicants: Professorin Dr.-Ing. Kirsten Bobzin; Dr.-Ing. Stephan Zimmermann
• Subject Area: Coating and Surface Technology
• Term: from 2017 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 336061514

The cascaded single-arc plasma generators (DC_EKEAPG) are gaining more importance for industrial use. This is partly related to their simpler construction and significantly lower procurement costs compared to multi-arc systems. Moreover, cascaded single-arc plasma generators promise significant improvements in process stability and coating quality compared to the conventional plasma generators, resulting from the use of neutrodes and the limited motion degree of freedom of the arc in these generators. Although the cascaded DC_EKEAPGs are gaining more importance in industrial applications, the plasma behavior within this concept has not been examined in depth in literature regarding the arc instabilities and fluctuations. Furthermore, a deliberate manipulation or influencing of the arc in cascaded DC_EKEAPGs has been investigated only in a few studies. Therefore, numerical and experimental studies, which serve to explain the physical relationships in a cascaded DC_EKEAPG and to increase understanding of the process, will be the subject of the proposed project. Based on these studies, an increase in process stability and an improvement in properties of coatings applied with this process, will be aimed by externally influencing the arc behavior.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr.-Ing. Jochen Schein; Dr.-Ing. Mehmet Öte