Erosion resistance of composites of the Ag-Ni₃Ti system

Conclusions

A study was made of the structure, mechanical properties, contact resistance, and resistance to erosion of Ag-Ni₃Ti composites containing up to 40% of the compound. It is shown that some composites of the series investigated posses an attractive combination of properties for contact technology (levels of strength, ductility, contact resistance, and resistance to erosion). Use of these materials for the interruption of direct currents of up to 25 A may lead to savings of Ag. The degree of electrical erosion of such a material depends on the current amplitude in the arc discharge, the structure of the composite, and its Ni₃Ti content. At Ni₃Ti concentrations resulting in the formation of a skeletal structure intensified anode disintegration is observed. In such a case excitation of an arc discharge with an amplitude of 25 A between contacts is accompanied by an inversion of the sign of mass transfer of an anodically polarized contact.