A general model for sliding wear in electrical contacts

Abstract

A variety of models, generally either based on abrasive, adhesive or surface fatigue wear concepts, have been used with some success in describing the sliding wear of electrical contacts. There are also empirical observations which support the individual or simultaneous occurrence of these various mechanisms in wear of such contacts. In addition to these mechanisms, which may be referred to as surface wear mechanisms, a subsurface mechanism has also been identified in recent studies of the wear of a card-edge connector system. This mechanism is associated with the plastic deformation of the substrate and can coexist with all, or any, of the surface mechanisms. In this paper, a model is developed for this subsurface mechanism and combined with models for the surface mechanisms to provide a general model for the sliding wear of contact systems. The relationships, which result from these models, are shown to agree with observed behavior in the case of a card-edge contact system. It is suggested that the method of combining the effects of several simultaneous wear mechanisms may be applicable to more general wear situations.