Electrical-Contact Properties of a Composite Material with a Copper Matrix Reinforced by Superelastic Hard Carbon

摘要

The electrical contact resistance and the electric-erosion wear resistance of the composite material consisting of a copper matrix reinforced by superelastic hard carbon are studied. The reinforcing of CM by carbon particles, which have a unique combination of mechanical properties (high microhardness of 3035 GPa, elastic modulus of 180-200 GPa, and a high ratio of microhardness to elastic modulus (HV_(50)/E> 0.15)), ensures good contact characteristics of the material. The minimum electrical contact resistance of CM is comparable with the electrical contact resistance of a reference sample made of gold. The electric-erosion wear resistance of the CM is more than threefold that of chrome bronze, which is a widely used for high-current electrical contacts.