Observations of High Resistance on Slip-Rings Employing Ag/MoS2/Cu Brushes

摘要

The effect of ground testing and storage on the corrosion resistance of slip rings comprising Ag/MoS2/Cu composite brushes and gold plated rings was tested, using solar array drive mechanisms, one of which underwent extensive ground testing. Both sets of slip rings exhibit discrete points of high resistance ( 1 Kohm) but resistances of this magniture are only observed across brush/ring contacts on the extensively tested drive. High resistance points are most numerous within vibration marks (i.e., places where the brushes rested during vibration testing). Surface analysis of areas of of high resistance reveals silver sulfide, molybdenum disulfide and other components attributable to brush wear debris.