Arc Erosion Behaviors and Surface Characteristics of SnO2 Nanofiber/Particle Reinforced Ag-Based Composite.

The reinforcement phase of SnO₂ particles in traditional Ag-SnO₂ contact materials exhibits poor wettability with Ag molten. In the arc erosion process, the SnO₂ ceramic particles were easily floated on the surface of contact materials, resulting in contact resistance increases and temperature rise, which eventually leads to contact materials failure. Ag-based metal matrix composite reinforced with SnO₂ nanofibers or SnO₂ particles was successfully fabricated by the spark plasma sintering (SPS). The reinforcement of SnO₂ nanofibers was prepared by the electrospinning technique. The arc erosion behaviors and surface characteristics of SnO₂ nanofibers/particles hybrid reinforced Ag-based composites and the SnO₂ particles reinforced Ag-based composites were evaluated. It was found that the SnO₂ nanofibers are able to being pinned in the Ag molten pool after the arc erosion and effectively inhibit the upward floating of SnO₂ particles. The roughness of the fiber-reinforced contact surface is smaller than that of the traditional contact materials after arc erosions. The addition of the nanofibers significantly improves the anti-arc erosion properties and arc eroded surface morphology. In comparison to the traditional Ag-SnO₂ material, the novel SnO₂ nanofibers/particles hybrid reinforced Ag-SnO₂ material is capable of restricting the upward floating of SnO₂ particles and effectively lengthening the electrical life of the Ag-SnO₂ contact materials with superior arc erosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]