Gallium alloy as lubricant for high current density brushes

Author

Burton, R. Gaines ; Burton, Ralph A.

Author_Institution

Burton Technol. Inc., Raleigh, NC, USA

Volume

11

Issue

1

fYear

1988

fDate

3/1/1988 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

112

Lastpage

115

Abstract

Experiments where gallium alloy is used to wet a slip ring in contact with current collectors are discussed. Alternating current (AC) density exceeded 1.5×10⁶ A/m². Contact resistance variation with time is reported. Materials compatibility and wettability are discussed, along with observations on replenishment of the alloy film. Brushes were made in the forms of copper mesh pads and inclined copper fingers. Monolithic carbon brushes were operated on the same apparatus to provide a reference for comparison. Both forms of gallium-wetted brush were found to offer low resistance, low heating, and good tribological properties

Keywords

brushes; contact resistance; electrical contacts; gallium alloys; lubrication; C brushes; Cu brushes; Cu fingers brushes; Cu mesh pad brushes; alternating current; contact resistance; current collectors; current density 1.5 MA/m²; heating; high current density brushes; lubricant; materials compatibility; materials wettability; sliding contacts; slip ring; tribological properties; Brushes; Chromium; Copper; Current density; Gallium alloys; Iron alloys; Lubricants; Nickel alloys; Steel; Tin;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Components, Hybrids, and Manufacturing Technology, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0148-6411

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/33.2973

Filename

2973