Sliding Electrical Contacts: Wear and Electrical Performance of Noble Metal Contacts

In this study, simple model systems are investigated in order to understand the relation between different wear regimes, electrical noise and life time in electrical sliding contacts. The results are interpreted in a system approach by analyzing the tribological system. Based on this interpretation an optimized contact system was developed with a significant improvement with respect to system life time. In this way, it can be demonstrated that a system approach with a thorough understanding of the underlying principles will help in obtaining optimized contact systems.