Title :
Properties and performance of gallium alloys in sliding contacts
Author :
Burton, Ralph A. ; Burton, R. Gaines
Author_Institution :
Burton Technol. Inc., Raleigh, NC, USA
Abstract :
For eutectics of Ga/In/Sn, Ga/In/Zn, and Ga/In/Sn/Zn, room-temperature measurements are reported for viscosity and resistivity. Contact resistance, friction, and film thickness are calculated for tilted pads using these fluids as lubricants. Relative magnitudes of magnetohydrodynamic energy dissipation in an annulus is discussed in terms of a figure of merit, namely, the Hartmann number. The experimental findings show that the gallium alloys display the most favorable characteristics.<>
Keywords :
DC motors; brushes; electrical contacts; gallium alloys; indium alloys; materials testing; tin alloys; zinc alloys; Ga-In-Sn alloy; Ga-In-Sn-Zn alloy; Ga-In-Zn alloy; Hartmann number; annulus; characteristics; contact resistance; figure of merit; film thickness; friction; liquid eutectic alloys; liquid metal current collectors; magnetohydrodynamic energy dissipation; performance; resistivity; room-temperature measurements; sliding contacts; tilted pads; viscosity; Conductivity; Contact resistance; Electrical resistance measurement; Friction; Gallium alloys; Lubricants; Magnetohydrodynamics; Tin; Viscosity; Zinc;
Conference_Titel :
Electrical Contacts, 1988., Proceedings of the Thirty Fourth Meeting of the IEEE Holm Conference on
Conference_Location :
San Francisco, CA, USA
DOI :
10.1109/HOLM.1988.16115
