Effect of TiB₂ particle size on the material transfer behaviour of Cu–TiB₂ composites

Abstract

Cu-5.8vol.-%TiB2 composites reinforced with different sized TiB2 particles were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The arc erosion resistance was examined using a JF04C electrical contact instrument. The results indicate that the TiB2 particle size and contact currents have important effects on the material transfer mode. Both lower mass loss and relative mass transfer was observed in the Cu-5.8vol.-%TiB2 composites reinforced with fine TiB2 particles (10 um, 30 um) compared to those with coarse TiB2 particles (70 um, 110 um). The investigation and analysis of the microstructure and arc erosion mechanism show uniform distribution of fine TiB2 particles in the copper matrix can significantly improve the viscosity of the molten pool and decrease the splashing of molten Cu.

Arc erosion behaviour of in-situ TiB2/Cu composites with a three-dimensional network structure

“…The variation of total mass change with the thickness of the TiB 2 network is in accord with that of arc energy and duration for the case of 3D network CMCs, where the total mass change of D Cu =40 and 100 μm sample is slightly increased because of oxidization. By comparing with CMCs reinforced with uniformly distributed TiB 2 [3,11], the lower arc energy leads to less mass loss in the 3D network CMCs. Furthermore, the mass change trend of the anode is totally different between the discontinuous and 3D network CMCs.…”

“…Although the material surface can be protected from friction by forming a coating layer [2], this method will create a barrier to the flow of electrical current. Alternatively, without markedly damaging electrical conductivity, the arc erosion [3] and wear behaviours [4] of copper-based materials can be simultaneously enhanced by properly adding ceramic particles (e.g., Al 2 O 3 [4,5], TiB 2 [3,6], SiC [7], and TiC [8]). Accordingly, copper matrix composites (CMCs) are potential candidates for electrical contact materials.…”

Quasi-Continuous Network Structure Greatly Improved the Anti-Arc-Erosion Capability of Ag/Y2O3 Electrical Contacts

“…If the distances between Y 2 O 3 particles are too far to jump over, the arc would stay and burn the zone around the individual Y 2 O 3 particle, thereby forming isolated and deep erosion pits. Guo et al [ 47 ] pointed out that the fine particles could improve the anti-arc performance by increasing the viscosity of the molten pool. Our work provided a new explanation of particle-size effects on electrical contact performance from the perspective of arc movement.…”

Electrical wear performance of copper matrix composites reinforced with hybrid CNTs and TiB2 particles

“…Dinaharan et al (2018) concluded that compared with Cu, the microhardness of the TiB 2 /Cu composites was improved by 128 HV, and the wear rate was obviously reduced by 148 × 10 −5 mm 3 /m. Guo et al (2020) studied the effect of TiB 2 particles size on electrical wear performance. Cu-5.8 Vol.% TiB 2 composites with fine TiB 2 particles (10 μm, 30 μm) had both lower mass losses.…”