The effect of microstructure on the electrical performance of Ag-WC-C contact materials

Author

Allen, Sam E. ; Streicher, Eric

Author_Institution

AMI DODUCO, Export, PA, USA

fYear

1998

fDate

26-28 Oct. 1998

Firstpage

276

Lastpage

285

Abstract

Silver-tungsten carbide-graphite contacts of varying microstructures were investigated to determine the effect on contact erosion, sticking, resistance, and current interruption. The parameters examined were graphite particle size and silver particle size. Statistically significant results were weld strength after contact bounce at 400 amperes peak, weight loss after 10,000 operations at 141 amperes peak, and weight loss and resistance after interruption at 1,920 amperes peak. For the Ag-WC-C composition tested, the use of fine graphite and fine silver powders led to enhanced electrical performance.

Keywords

circuit breakers; circuit-breaking arcs; contact resistance; electrical contacts; graphite; particle reinforced composites; particle size; powder technology; silver; tungsten compounds; wear; 141 A; 1920 A; 400 A; Ag-WC-C; circuit breakers; contact bounce; contact erosion; contact materials; current interruption; electrical performance; particle size; sticking; weight loss; weld strength; Circuit breakers; Circuit testing; Contacts; Electric resistance; Heat recovery; Manufacturing; Microstructure; Resistance heating; Silver; Tungsten;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Electrical Contacts, 1998. Proceedings of the Forty-Fourth IEEE Holm Conference on

Conference_Location

Arlington, VA, USA

Print_ISBN

0-7803-4925-3

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/HOLM.1998.722456

Filename

722456