ARC PLASMA

A plasma arc operates on principles similar to an arc-welding machine, where an electrical arc is struck between two electrodes set under under high voltage where high current is allowed to pass to create an high energetic arc plasma discharge under atmospheric conditions. The high-energy arc creates extremely high temperatures ranging from 3,000 degrees to 7,000 degrees Celsius. The plasma arc can be used for several applications including plasma oxidation, treating organic and inorganic wastes, etc.

HYDROGEN REDUCTION PLASMA

Hydrogen plasma is a special case of arc plasmas where the arc is generated in a controlled vacuum atmosphere where hydrogen is used as the source of plasma. During the hydrogen plasma reduction (HPR), a plasma arc zone is generated between an electrode and the input ore. In this zone, the ore can be melted and reduced by hydrogen in both molecular and plasma states. Hydrogen plasma reduction allows the production of liquid iron in one single step, in which the input fine ores are melted and reduced simultaneously without the need for intermediate agglomeration or refinement processing.

THERMAL PLASMA SPRAY

Plasma spray is a thermal spray coating process, which uses plasma under atmospheric pressure to subject particles under plasma in-flight and deposited as a desired composition on the substrate. This technique is used to produce a high quality coating by a combination of high temperature, high energy heat source, a relatively inert spraying medium, usually argon, and high particle velocities. The great advantage of the plasma spray coating technique is its ability to spray a wide range of materials, from metals to refractory ceramics, on both small and large components offering: corrosion protection, wear resistance, clearance control – abrasives and abradables, heat and oxidation resistance, temperature management and electrical resistivity and conductivity.

RF/DC SPUTTERING

Sputtering is the process of material removal from a solid surface (called as target) as a consequence of momentum transfer between an energetic particle (usually an ion which comes from the plasma) and the surface of the target. The plasma discharge is achieved in a low pressure environment to achieve sufficient particle momentum to enable elastic collision.

Direct current (DC) Sputtering is a cost effective way of applying metal target coatings that are electrical conductors. The target is subjected to high DC cathodic voltage where the ionized particles from the plasma collide and sputter/knock off the target atoms which will eventually get deposited on the substrate (set as anode). Radio Frequency (RF) Sputtering uses alternating current as a driving force for collision. At radio frequencies charge building up on certain types of sputtering target materials can be avoided.

MICROPLASMA ILLUMINATION

The term “microplasma” usually refers to low-temperature plasma discharges with dimensions that range from a few micrometers up to a few millimetres, which is generated by electrical breakdown of gases upon applying voltage. The plasma discharges generate a highly reactive environment that comprises charged particles, excited species, radicals, and photons, and the reduced dimensions allow low-power sources with small footprints suitable for the combination in microsystems and portable devices.

DBD PLASMA

Dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) are plasmas generated in configurations with an insulating (dielectric) material placed between the electrodes, where displacive current is generated due to pulsing action of DC or polarity change in AC currents. DBDs are a typical example of non-thermal atmospheric or normal pressure plasma discharges. It is used in a wide range of applications, such as ozone & UV generation, air & wastewater treatment, sterilization of packaging and food, as well as activation, cleaning, etching and coating of surfaces.