Abstract
Abstract The GIL spring contact finger, as the primary component connecting the units of the Gas Insulated Line (GIL), is subject to displacement over time due to factors such as equipment vibration. This displacement leads to inevitable friction and wear between the contact finger and the current-carrying conductor. Such friction alters the contact state, increasing the contact resistance and subsequently affecting the transmission of electrical power. Additionally, metal debris generated by friction can cause partial discharge inside the GIL equipment, potentially leading to insulation breakdown and significant damage to the equipment. To address this issue, this study proposes the incorporation of graphene into the existing silver-plated layer of the contact finger to improve its wear resistance and optimize its overall performance. A silver/graphene composite coating was prepared using a cyanide-free silver-plating technique based on a thiosulfate system. The coating performance was optimized by varying both the coating thickness and the graphene content. The overall performance of the coatings was evaluated using radar charts, which helped identify the optimal coating parameters. Results indicated that when the cathodic current density ranged from 0.4 to 0.6 A/dm², the coating surface was smooth, the graphene was evenly distributed, and the adhesion was good. Furthermore, when the coating thickness was 10μm and the graphene content was 8.23%, the friction coefficient remained stable around 1, a reduction in contact resistance of approximately 100μΩ compared to pure silver was observed, the hardness increased by 7.08 HV, and the thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance remained largely unchanged. In conclusion, the addition of graphene to the silver coating significantly enhances wear resistance, and an appropriate coating thickness effectively improves the overall performance. The optimal coating parameters, with a thickness of 10μm and a graphene content of 8.23%, meet the performance optimization requirements for the contact finger coating.
Published Version
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