The Effect of Temperature and Load on the Current Carrying and Erosion Behavior of Metal-Impregnated Pantograph Strip

Abstract

Abstract As an important current-collecting component of the electric locomotive, the pantograph strip may increase its surface temperature due to catenary vibration, friction heat generation, arc burning, catenary hard spots, and other reasons during actual operation. Given the action of electric current, an electrochemical reaction is unavoidable on the contact surface. Under low voltage DC conditions, the influence of temperature and load on relevant electrical and tribological parameters of the pantograph strip was studied using self-developed multi-functional friction and wear tester and changing forward load, surface temperature, etc. The electrochemical reaction was performed at 3.5 wt% NaCl. The results showed that with the increase in temperature, the initial contact resistance, friction coefficient, wear, and corrosion resistance of the surface material of the sample decreased, and the wear amount increased significantly.