Abstract
UDC 621.9.048.4
DOI https://doi.org/10.52577/eom.2026.62.4.19
A comprehensive analysis of electrospark dispersion (ESD) is presented – a highly efficient electrophysical method for producing ultrafine powders and colloidal systems from electrically conductive materials. The evolution of this branch of electroerosive machining is examined, starting from the fundamental works of B.R. Lazarenko. Particular attention is paid to the formation of multi-channel spark discharges in a layer of granules, the nonlinear stochastic nature of the load, the role of hydrodynamic phenomena, as well as thermal and thermomechanical effects. Current mathematical models describing transient processes in discharge circuits and methods for controlling pulse parameters to optimize particle size and product yield are summarized. A wide practical application of ESD is demonstrated not only in materials science for producing powders and functional coatings, but also in environmental technologies. Key technological barriers limiting the scaling-up of the method are identified. The review highlights the interdisciplinary nature of ESD, combining electrophysics, hydrodynamics, and materials science, and outlines directions for further research.
Keywords: electric spark erosion dispersion, electroerosion machining, nanopowders, pulse discharge technologies, mathematical modeling, water purification, materials recycling.