Mathematical modeling of chemical conversion in thin-layer exothermic mixtures under periodic electric-spark discharges

The dynamics of coating production using a reaction mixture with thermoreactive electric-spark strengthening is studied numerically. It is shown that the main parameter that determines the thermal regime of coating is the initial thickness of the mixture layer. The parameter ranges for the process in a combustion regime and in a quasivolume conversion regime are determined. The effect of discharge frequency and the thermal characteristics of the reaction mixture and the substrate being strengthened on coating time is investigated. It is established that for a particular reaction mixture, the characteristic conversion temperature can be controlled by varying the electric discharge power and, hence, the heat flux at the active stage of the process, and for coating formation at this characteristic temperature, it is necessary that the thickness of the active layer be lower than a certain critical value.