Nathan Brown: Microcracks in Hall Thrusters
Presented at the 3rd Annual Ben T. Zinn Combustion Symposium
Abstract:
Plasma erosion of the borosil discharge chamber wall is the ultimate life-limiting mechanism in Hall thrusters. However, erosion of borosil is poorly understood and contemporary models are unable to explain many observed features. This work investigated one such feature, microcracking, and provided preliminary results on its cause and influence in the plasma erosion process.