Dynamic variation of arc discharge and its effect on corrosion direction under current-carrying sliding

Abstract

Current-carrying sliding tests were performed on an HST-100 high-speed multifunction friction and wear tester. Cf/Cu/C composite was used as the pin, and commercial QCr0.5 was employed as the disk. Sliding tests were carried out at a speed of 30 m/s and a load of 70 N under 25 A, 50 A, 75 A, and 100 A, respectively. Light intensity was collected by a photodiode, and the arc discharge process was recorded by a high-speed camera (HX-5) with a capture rate of 20,000 fp/s. The worn surfaces were characterized by a Nova NanoSEM230 scanning electron microscope and a NANO Focus AG three-dimensional topography instrument. The result indicates that arc discharge occurs randomly, both temporally and spatially, as long as the condition is suitable and occurs more at the beginning and end of the friction process. The arc moves constantly along the friction direction to the outlet. Compared to the inlet, the erosion of the outlet is considerably worse. This finding indicates the arc is moving towards the outlet and grows by a large margin when it leaves the friction surface at the outlet end.