Development of the Arc-Induced Erosion Surface in Silver-Cadmium Oxide

Evaluation of silver-cadmium oxide contacts at intermittent stages during their static gap electrical testing allows their inherent anodic and cathodic erosion behaviors to be studied. The cathodes tend to develop a few low mounds of oxide-depleted metal on their surfaces. These oxide-depleted mounds are believed to be the features with the greatest potential for welding when in operation. The limited number and size of these mounds is indicative of good weld resistance. The anodes develop networks of ravines with deep cracks extending down from their bases. These ravines can be healed by being filled in with eroded material. This healing is deduced to be what gives silver-cadmium oxide its good resistance to structural failure.