The paper outlines the manufacturing technology of different silver-metal and silver-metal oxide composite materials to be used in contacts of low-voltage switches. There were conducted tests of the electrical properties of contacts made of eight different composite materials and hard silver. There was determined their resistance to arc erosion and static welding. There were also measured changes of contact resistance during current switching operations. The tested contact materials were evaluated with regard to obtaining the most advantageous electrical parameters.
The paper presents the results of electrical tests of contact tips made from silver-carbon (Ag-C) composites containing different allotropes of carbon: graphite, vitreous carbon, diamond and carbon nanotubes. The contact tips were made with the use of powder metallurgy methods. There were investigated the microstructures and electrical properties (resistance to arc erosion and welding, as well as contact resistance) of the contact tips. It was determined that the type of carbon used in a contact material influences the electrical properties of contacts.
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