Effect of SnO2 content on properties and microstructure of Ag/SnO2 electric contact materials

Abstract

Abstract In order to explore the effects of SnO2 content on the properties and microstructure of Ag/SnO2 electric contact materials with low silver content. A series of Ag/SnO2 electric contact materials with different SnO2 content were prepared and their arc erosion properties and physical properties were tested. The results show that with the decrease of Ag content, the hardness of Ag/SnO2 contact materials increases, and the conductivity and density decrease. When the Ag content is 88%, Ag and SnO2 enrichment zones are formed on the surface of the Ag/SnO2 contact material after arc erosion test. When the silver content is less than 82%, the surface microstructure of the Ag/SnO2 contact material after arc erosion is uniform, and no obvious Ag and SnO2 enrichment zones were formed, but cracks and pores increased.