Electrical Properties of Ag-C Contact Materials Containing Different Allotropes of Carbon

Abstract

The paper presents the results of electrical tests of contact tips made from silver-carbon (Ag-C) composites containing different allotropes of carbon: graphite, vitreous carbon, diamond and carbon nanotubes. The contact tips were made with the use of powder metallurgy methods. There were investigated the microstructures and electrical properties (resistance to arc erosion and welding, as well as contact resistance) of the contact tips. It was determined that the type of carbon used in a contact material influences the electrical properties of contacts.