Influence of operation numbers on arc erosion of Ag/CuO electrical contact material

Abstract

Ag/CuO materials have been widely used in low-voltage switches due to their high welding resistance and low resistivity, but the effect mechanism of arc erosion on the internal structure and composition was not clear. This paper presented arc erosion behavior of Ag/CuO materials under different operation numbers. The arc erosion morphology was characterized by a three-dimensional profilometer and SEM, and the composition and element distribution were analyzed by electron probe micro-analyzer. Results showed that some new and different arc erosion morphologies were observed on contact surface. The content of Cu and O dissolved in Ag matrix on the arc erosion zone was higher than that on the normal zone. In addition, the content of Cu and O dissolved in Ag matrix on the anodic arc erosion zone was higher than that on the cathodic. The copper oxide particles in the silver molten pool underwent a series of chemical reactions during the arc erosion and formed some new substances.