Experiments on artificial fulgurites under high voltage electrical discharge

Abstract

Electrical discharge compaction (EDC) of metal powders is a relatively new process. In this process, metal powder contained in an electrically non-conducting tube is suddenly subjected to a high voltage. Ar a result and under suitable conditions, the specimen will consolidate, in nature, the formation of fulgurites which is sand tube produced by lightning discharges into quartz sands is in fact similar to that of a high voltage electrical discharge through a highly conducting metal powder. A useful copper powder model for studying the fulgurite process is attempted.