X-Ray Diffraction Analysis of Aerosols from Exploding Wires

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, X-ray diffraction analysis is used to investigate the composition of aerosols produced by exploding wires with the current surge from a 4000-joule capacitor. Qualitative analyses of aerosols from 15 different metals exploded in air or inert atmosphere indicate that the particles are crystalline with the normal crystal structure and that explosion of noble metals in air and of base metals in argon produces aerosols consisting of metallic particles. Base metals exploded in air produce aerosols consisting primarily of oxides. Nitrides were not observed. An analytical scheme is described for the Cu-Cu2O-CuO mixtures collected on membrane filters from explosions of copper wires in air. The composition of aerosols is determined for various initial voltages (2-18 kv) on the 20-μf capacitor bank for two series of wires. In one, the weight fraction of CuO increases rapidly with voltage until it accounts for almost the entire sample while the Cu2O and Cu content decrease smoothly. In the other, CuO and Cu2O are about equal for explosions above 6 kv while Cu decreases. Differences are attributed to a change in the circuit and mass of wire used.