Pulsed plasma jet interaction with a metal targets

The results of experimental studies of the interaction of plasma jets, created by a pulsed capillary discharge with an evaporating wall, with metal targets are presented. It is shown that the main mechanism of targets destruction is the material melting and the subsequent removal of the melt under the dynamic pressure of the plasma jet. The main sources of energy transmitted to the target are: the high-speed flow of high-enthalpy plasma created inside the capillary, and the fluxes of charged particles accelerated in the near-electrode layers. The energy transport provided by charged particles does not exceed ∼0.1-0.2 of the total energy input onto the target. The enthalpy transport is capable to provide heat flux densities of ∼5-6 kW/mm2, an order of magnitude exceeding the values achievable in welding arcs.