Abstract
The ablation resistance of Cu and Cu/ Al₂O₃ subjected to 200 spark discharges was compared in this work. It appears that the volume lost in the course of sparking was 6 times higher for Cu than for Cu/ Al₂O₃ composite. Linear dependences of the amount of loss material on the number of electrical discharge analytical cycles for Cu/ Al₂O₃ composite material and pure copper were determined. Cu/ Al₂O₃ composite failure mode includes the evaporation as well as melting of constituents. The interaction of spark with the substrate is quite a discrete process strongly affected by local chemistry (composition). It results in irregular phases with respect to morphology as well as composition.

Key words
ablation resistance, copper matrix, alumina preform

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