Wear behavior of Cu–Ag–Cr alloy wire under electrical sliding

The wear behavior of a Cu–Ag–Cr alloy contact wire against a copper-base sintered alloy strip was investigated. Wear tests were conducted under laboratory conditions with a special sliding wear apparatus that simulated train motion under electrical current conditions. The initial microstructure of the Cu–Ag–Cr alloy contact wire was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Worn surfaces of the Cu–Ag–Cr alloy wire were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). The results indicate that the wear rate of the Cu–Ag–Cr wire increased with increasing electrical current and sliding. Within the studied range of electrical current, the wear rate increases with increasing electrical current and sliding speed. Compared with the Cu–Ag contact wire under the same testing conditions, the Cu–Ag–Cr alloy wire has much better wear resistance. Adhesive, abrasive, and electrical erosion wear are the dominant mechanisms during the electrical sliding processes.