Open AccessThe article investigates the thermal and electrical processes when heating the metal electrode by a high current pulse. The aim is to understand an impact nature of the nonlinearities of thermal parameters, the phase transitions of melting and evaporation, and the type of boundary conditions in the current spot. To solve the problem was formulated a mathematical model, and were also developed a finite-difference method and computer programmes which allow an effective computer simulations of thermal and electrical processes under the high current pulse impact on the metal electrodes. The Stefan problem is solved by the through "enthalpy" method. Calculation of the electric field is performed by Seidel iteration. Thermal and current balance and comparison with solution results of model problems allow computer error monitoring.
The work involved a series of calculations for an informative case of iron. It enabled to find a significant influence of the nonlinearities of thermal parameters, the phase transitions of melting and evaporation, the type of boundary conditions on the values of the temperature and electric fields, especially in the vicinity of the current spot. The presence of high current density and temperature, respectively, in the vicinity of the current spot edge confirms the well-known hypothesis about the causes of contact welding on the edges of the contact area. It has been found that the impact of losses on radiation and convection cooling is negligible. The article continues and complements the well-known research in the theory of electrical contacts and welding processes based on detailed consideration of the electrode material properties, the nonlinearities, and a type of boundary conditions for temperature and electric fields.
The results can be used in the practice in research and design of electrical machines and other electrical devices.
The study has revealed the need to improve the enthalpy finite- difference method for solving the Stefan problem in order to enhance its accuracy, in particular in the calculation of the phase transition front. Further detailed analysis of thermal and electrical processes in the boiling point, defining an adequacy degree of the model of quiet evaporation, and gas-, hydro- and electro-dynamic factors to be taken in more consideration are of interest.