Vacuum Breakdown Behavior of CuWCr Composites

Abstract

The Cu20W70Cr10 composites were fabricated by two methods which are the conventional powder metallurgy, and mechanical alloying to prepare WCr compound powders, followed by sintering and infiltration. The erosion behavior of CuWCr composites under breakdown was investigated. The surfaces of the composites before and after erosion and the mechanism of arc erosion were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the CuWCr composites prepared by mechanical alloying have superfine microstructure, uniform composition and high density, thus result in good characteristics of diffusing arcs and arc eroding endurance. Arc erosion zones are dispersive and uniform on the surfaces with some flat eroding pits. The Cu20W70Cr10 composites have excellent electrical properties such as high breakdown voltage, low chopping current and long arc life.