SILVER-BASED CONTACT MATERIAL, USE OF SUCH A CONTACT MATERIAL IN SWITCHGEAR FOR POWER-ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE CONTACT MATERIAL

摘要

Materials based on silver/iron oxide have been proposed as substitutes for the silver/nickel materials frequently used for contact pieces in low-tension switchgear in particular. The invention proposes a material containing an additional active component consisting of an oxide of a metal of the third sub-group in the periodic table, particularly yttrium oxide (Y2O3). A material of the composition Ag/Fe2O310/Y2O31, for instance, which has suitable temperature behaviour, has the spectrum of properties required for contact pieces. In addition, the material may also include at least one metal oxide containing elements of the sixth sub-group of the periodic table, preferably iron tungstate (FeWO4). The material of the composition Ag/Fe2O39/Y2O31/FeWO40.5 has proved to be particularly suitable on account of its further improved welding and short-circuit characteristics.