Predicted Arc Properties in Sulfur Hexafluoride

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Abstract
Calculations of spectral absorptivities of sulfur hexafluoride for continuum radiation ranging from the far ir to 300 Å have been made as a function of temperature and pressure. These values are used together with theoretical values of thermal and electrical conductivity to derive temperature profiles of arcs in sulfur hexafluoride, taking into account effects due to self‐absorption of radiation, but assuming local thermal equilibrium. The temperature profile for a 100‐A arc is in good agreement with the experimental measurements of Motschmann. The sensitivity of the derived temperature profile to the input material functions is examined. It is predicted that radiation losses at the arc center are dominated by radiation of wavelengths in the region of 1000 Å. Using the theoretical material functions, an estimate is made of central arc temperatures and electric field strengths for currents of up to 60 000 A and arc radii of up to 2 cm for gas pressures of 1 and 8 atm.