KIEE International Transactions on Electrophysics and Applications

The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers (대한전기학회)
권호 표지

Effects of Tungsten Particle Size and Nickel Addition in DC arc Resistance of Cu-W Electrode

  • Kim, Bong-Seo (Advanced Electrical Materials Group, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute) ;
  • Jeong, Hyun-Uk (Advanced Electrical Materials Group, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute) ;
  • Lee, Hee-Woong (Advanced Electrical Materials Group, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute)
  • Published : 2004.04.01
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

The performance of copper-tungsten for electrodes used in an ultra high voltage interruption system was evaluated by means of an interruption test, which requires a large-scale apparatus and high cost. In this study, prior to the interruption test, the characteristics of a Cu-W electrode were estimated through the DC arc test, which is a simple, low cost procedure. The DC arc characteristics of a 20wt%Cu-80wt%W electrode were investigated with the change of tungsten powder size distribution and the addition of nickel. In specimens containing a high volume fraction of large sized tungsten particles, the relative density and hardness of sintered Cu-W electrodes increased while the electrical conductivity and the DC arc resistance decreased. Furthermore, the relative density became enhanced with the increase of the amount of nickel while the hardness and electrical conductivity diminished and the DC arc resistance worsened.

Keywords

References

  1. A. J. Stevens, 'Powder-metallurgy solutions to electrical-contact problem', Powder Metall., vol. 17, 31, 1974
  2. A. K. Bhalla and 1. D. Williams, 'A comparative assessment of explosive and other methods of compaction in the production of W-Cu composites', Powder Metall. Int., vol. 9, 31, 1976
  3. N. C. Kothari, 'Factors affecting W-Cu and W-Ag electrical contact materials', Powder Metall. Int., vol. 14, 139, 1982
  4. J. R. Davis, Metals Handbook, Desk Edition, 2nd Ed., 1998, pp. 506-507
  5. ASM, Handbook, Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-purpose Materials, vol. 2, 1990, pp. 216-241
  6. W. -F. Wang, 'Effect of tungsten particle size and copper content on working behavior of W-Cu alloy electrodes during electrodischarge machining', Powder Metall. , vol. 40, no. 4, pp.295-300, 1997
  7. J. L. Johnson and R. M. German, 'Chemically activated liquid phase sintering of tungsten-copper', Int. J, Powder Metall. , vol. 30, no.1, pp. 91-10,1994
  8. L. Li, Y.S. Wong, J.Y.H. Fuh and L. Lu, 'EDM performance of TiC in copper-based sintered electrodes', Materials and Design, vol. 22, pp.669-678,2001
  9. L. Li, Y.S. Wong, J.Y.H. Fuh and L. Lu, 'Effect of TiC in copper-tungstenelectrodesonEDM performance', Journal ofMaterial Processing Technology, vol. 113, pp. 563-567, 2001
  10. H. M. Zaw, J.Y.H. Fuh, A.Y.C. Nee and L. Lu, 'Formation of a new EDM electrode material using sintering techniques', Journal of Material Processing Technology, vol. 89-90, pp. 182-186, 1999
  11. T. Raghu, R. Sundaresan, P. Ranakrishnan and T.R. Rama Mohan, 'Synthesis of nanocrystalline coppertungsten alloys by mechanical alloying', Mater. Sci. & Eng., A304-306, pp. 438-441, 2001
  12. Metal Reference Book, Editor Colin J. Smithells, Fifth Ed., Butterworths & Co. Ltd, 1976, p.586
  13. Metal Reference Book, Editor Colin J. Smithells, Fifth Ed., Butterworths & Co. Ltd, 1976, p.740
  14. ASM Handbook, Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-purpose Materials, Vol. 2, 1990, pp. 428-433
  15. R. M. German, Liquid Phase Sintering, 1985, pp. 182-183