%0 Journal Article %A Coudert, J. F. %A Fauchais, Pierre %D 1997 %I Begell House %N 2 %P 149-166 %R 10.1615/HighTempMatProc.v1.i2.10 %T ARC INSTABILITIES IN A D.C. PLASMA TORCH %U https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/57d172397126f956,0536e61b26885270,5a7588e22dbd661a.html %V 1 %X Arc instabilities play a crucial role in the dynamics of the plasma flow generated by industrial torches such as those used, for example, in plasma spray processes. This study was conducted for a classically designed plasma spray torch, with power supplied by a current regulated rectifier. Arc instabilities were investigated by means of time-resolved measurements of arc voltage fluctuations, which showed very specific features. Numerous experimental results were obtained and correlated with the plasma torch governing parameters, with help of dimensional analysis. At the same time, important temperature and flow velocity variations were observed, which appeared to be strongly coupled to voltage fluctuations. %8 1997-06-30