Materials Science and Engineering

Smart-microstructures of composites for electrical contacts with frameless packing of Cr and W in copper

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  • L. E. BODROVA, S. Yu. MELCHAKOV, A. B. SHUBIN, E. Yu. GOYDA
Institute of Metallurgy of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 620016, Ekaterinburg, 101, Amundsen Street, Russian Federation

Online published: 2021-09-25

Abstract

W45Cu55, Cr65Cu35, and Cr32W14Cu54 alloys were obtained in order to study the mechanism of “smart response” of the structure of these alloys when using them as arc-resistant circuit-breakers. These alloys differ from industrial ones with frameless packing of Cr and W phases in the copper matrix. The alloy production method is based on the infiltration of copper melt into a mixture of non-compacted Cr and W powders under vibration exposure (80 Hz). The research results show an increase in the arc resistance of contacts when changing from “frame” packing of W to “frameless,” as well as the decisive role of Cr in the processes of self-dispersion of arc-resistant phases and passivation of W and Cu. Based on the obtained results, conclusions are drawn about the advantage of frameless packing of arc-resistant phases in copper and the reasons for the “smart behavior” of the structure of Cr-containing contacts in response to functional loads in the presence of oxygen and an inert atmosphere.

Cite this article

L. E. BODROVA, S. Yu. MELCHAKOV, A. B. SHUBIN, E. Yu. GOYDA . Smart-microstructures of composites for electrical contacts with frameless packing of Cr and W in copper[J]. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2021 , 31(9) : 2773 -2786 . DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(21)65692-3

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