Electric contact materials and their erosion in automotive DC relays

Author

Leung, Chi H. ; Lee, Anthony

Author_Institution

General Motors Res. Lab., Warren, MI, USA

Volume

15

Issue

2

fYear

1992

fDate

4/1/1992 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

146

Lastpage

153

Abstract

Proper contact material selection is critical for reliable performance of automotive relays. Three types of contact material were compared in a 20-A relay, which were switching lamp, motor, and resistor loads. The three contact materials chosen have different material strengthening mechanisms so that their effects on the arc erosion process could be evaluated. They include: (a) a silver alloy (98Ag-2Cu), (b) a metal-oxide composite (Ag-SnO₂ with WO₃ additive), and (c) a metal-metal composite (Ag-20Ni). Contact resistance, welding, and DC transfer characteristics were compared in make-only, break-only, and normal make-and-break switching operations. The observed results were explained in terms of the arc erosion process and inherent material structures. All three types of contact material have their own pros and cons in automotive applications

Keywords

automotive electronics; electrical contacts; relays; wear; 20 A; AgCu; AgNi; AgSnO₂; DC transfer characteristics; arc erosion process; automotive DC relays; break-only switching; contact material selection; erosion; lamp loads; make-and-break switching operations; make-only switching; material strengthening mechanisms; metal-metal composite; metal-oxide composite; motor loads; resistor loads; welding; Additives; Automotive applications; Automotive engineering; Contact resistance; Lamps; Materials reliability; Relays; Resistors; Silver; Welding;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Components, Hybrids, and Manufacturing Technology, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0148-6411

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/33.142887

Filename

142887