Arc Erosion Behavior of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co Alloy after Heat Treatment: An Experimental Study

doi:10.1007/s40195-016-0403-4

Abstract

Abstract:

The arc erosion behavior of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co alloy after heat treatment was investigated experimentally by a JF04C electric contact test system. The arc duration, arc energy, contact resistance and contact pressure of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co alloy after solution treatment and aging treatment were analyzed. The arc erosion morphologies were contrastively observed by a three-dimensional measuring system and scanning electron microscopy. For the Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co alloy in solution state and aging state, the maximum values of arc duration are 90 and 110 ms, and the arc energies are 15,000 and 18,000 mJ, respectively. The maximum value of the contact resistance of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co alloy in different states is about 33 mΩ. The contact pressure of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co alloy in solution state generally changes between 50 and 60 cN during whole make-and-break contacts, while in aging state, it has a larger fluctuation range. Moreover, the quality of moving contact (anode) decreases, while static contact (cathode) increases. The materials transfer from anode to cathode during make-and-break contacts. The total mass losses of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co alloy in solution state and aging state are 3 and 1.2 mg, respectively. In addition, a number of discrete corrosion pits, molten droplet, porosity and cavity distribute on the surface of moving contact and static contact. The arc erosion model of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co alloy in make-and-break contact was built. The arc erosion resistance of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co alloy after heat treatment is closely related to the microstructure and the properties of contact materials. This experimental study is important to evaluate the anode or cathode electrocorrosion fatigue life.

Key words: Cu-Be-Co, alloy, Arc, erosion, Aging, Morphology

Yanjun Zhou, Kexing Song, Jiandong Xing, Zhou Li, Xiuhua Guo. Arc Erosion Behavior of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co Alloy after Heat Treatment: An Experimental Study[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2016, 29(4): 399-408.

Figures/Tables 11

Fig. 1 JF04C electric contact test system: a schematic diagram of test-bed; b contact pairs in contact status; ccontact pairs in disconnect status; d the shape and dimensions of the contacts

Table 1 Input parameters of electrical contact test

DC voltage (V)	Current (A)	Closure pressure (cN)	Frequency (HZ)	Contact spacing (mm)
40	30	40	0.5	3.0

Fig. 2 Changes in arc duration, arc energy, contact resistance and contact pressure as function of test number of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co alloy in different states: a arc duration in solution state; b arc duration in aging state; carc energy in solution state; d arc energy in aging state; e contact resistance in solution state; f contact resistance in aging state; g contact pressure in solution state; h contact pressure in aging state

Table 2 Quality transfer and total mass losses of the contact materials in different states

Alloy states	Test number (times)	Contactor quality change (mg)		Total mass losses (mg)
Alloy states	Test number (times)	Moving contact (anode)	Static contact (cathode)	Total mass losses (mg)
Solution	5000	-3.5	+0.5	-3.0
Aging	5000	-2.9	+1.4	-1.5

Fig. 3 Three-dimensional surface morphologies of moving contact (anode) and static contact (cathode) of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co alloy in different states: a moving contact in solution state; b moving contact in aging state; cstatic contact in solution state; d static contact in aging state

Fig. 4 SEM images of moving contact of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co alloy in solution state at different magnifications

Fig. 5 SEM images of static contact of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co alloy in solution state at different magnifications

Fig. 6 SEM images of moving contact of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co alloy in aging state at different magnifications

Fig. 7 SEM images of static contact of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co alloy in aging state at different magnifications

Fig. 8 Arc erosion model of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co alloy in make-and-break contact: a the high-speed movement of metal ions and electrons, and intense collision with cathode and anode in discharge channel; b the melting and gasification of contact material, formation of molten pool and spraying of molten droplets; c the solidification of metal, deposition of molten droplets and formation of discrete erosion pits, molten droplet, porosity and cavity, microcracks, etc. on contact surfaces

Fig. 9 TEM images of Cu-0.23Be-0.84Co alloy in solution state and aging state: a solution treatment at 950 °C for 1 h; b aging at 480 °C for 4 h

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