Microstructure and Arc Erosion Resistance Properties of Ag/Cr2AlC Electrical Contact Materials
WANG Dandan1,*, ZHU Hongyu1, WEI Kunxia1, WEI Wei1, TIAN Wubian2, SUN Zhengming2
1 School of Materials Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164,Jiangsu, China 2 School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, Jiangsu, China
Abstract: Ag-based electrical contact materials are widely used in low-voltage circuit control devices, serving the role of carrying, breaking, and closing electrical currents in circuits. Cr2AlC, as a representative of the Mn+1AXn phases, possesses a combination of the excellent properties of both metals and ceramics, making it a promising reinforcing phase in Ag-based electrical contact materials. In this work, Ag/Cr2AlC composites were prepared using powder metallurgy method. The microstructure including interfacial reactions, the physical properties and arc erosion resistance were investigated. The results indicated that due to the weak bonding of Al atoms, significant interfacial reactions occurred between Ag and Cr2AlC after sintering, resulting in the formation of Ag3Al and Cr-C compounds. In comparison to the green bodies, the density and hardness of the sintered Ag/Cr2AlC were reduced, i.e., 9.04 g/cm3 and (78.9±5.5)HV, respectively. However, due to the occurrence of interfacial reactions, the electrical resistivity of the Ag/Cr2AlC substantially increased to (141.9±0.4)×10-9 Ω·m. Arc erosion tests revealed that the mass loss of the Ag/Cr2AlC was 6.25%, and the main arc erosion product was Al2O3. Meanwhile, Ag undergone melting and sputtering, resulting in a noticeable protrusions.
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