Microstructure and Arc Erosion Behavior of AgSnO2TiB2 Contact Material Prepared by Different Methods

Abstract:

The AgSnO₂TiB₂ composite powders were synthesized by the ball milling, soluble starch template and filter paper template methods, and subsequently consolidated by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The physical properties and arc erosion behavior of Ag4wt%- SnO₂4wt%TiB₂ contact materials were investigated. The results reveal that the spatial domain-limiting effects of the template can remarkably improve the dispersion of the reinforcements in the Ag matrix, and then electrical conductivity and hardness of Ag4wt%-SnO₂4wt%TiB₂ contact materials are increased. As compared to the ball milling, the electrical conductivity of Ag4wt%SnO₂4wt%TiB₂ composites fabricated by filter paper template and starch template method is increased by 12.18 and 9.60 times, while the microhardness is increased by 17.10% and 33.94%, respectively. The filter paper template is more beneficial for the uniform dispersion of SnO₂ and TiB₂, which can alleviate concentrated arc erosion and reduce splash, thereby exhibiting better arc erosion resistance.