Microstructural analysis of the positive electrode of electrohydraulic drill

We consider the changes and the quality of the surface of the electrode system of the drill after electrohydraulic pulsed treatment. Spectral analysis of the microstructure of melted regions of the drill electrode surface, formed as a result of action of a spark discharge, is performed. The regularities of erosion wear of the electrodes depending on the energy parameters and the number of electrohydraulic pulses are established experimentally. This study is devoted to the method of electrohydraulic well-drilling based on the unique phenomenon of direct conversion of the electric energy into the mechanical energy of shock waves that effectively crush rocks in a bounded spatial volume in the well bottom. The electric-pulse treatment developed here is based on the Yutkin electrohydraulic effect [1–3].