Copper-based electric contact material for low-voltage apparatus

Abstract

The invention discloses design and preparation for a copper base alloy of an electrical contact material for a low-voltage electric appliance. The design is characterized in that the alloy comprises the following compositions in weight percent: 0.5 to 3 percent of Ni, 0.1 to 0.5 percent of Zr, 0.1 to 0.5 percent of Y, and the balance being Cu. The preparation comprises the following process routes: preparing a CuY and CuZr intermediate alloy raw material by Cu+ and Ni+ in vacuum; obtaining CuNiZrY alloy powder by using a self air-water sharp quenching and atomizing powder-preparing technique and equipment under an atmosphere state; preparing formed blank by a powder metallurgy process (forming and sintering, repressing and re-sintering, and CIP and sintering); obtaining semi-finished product blank of wires or sheets by hot extrusion; obtaining semi-finished products through thermal treatment; and obtaining finished products through cold working. The alloy has the characteristics of low but stable contact resistance, high oxidation resistance, strong electric arc erosion resistance and fusion welding resistance property, long electric life, and the like; and can be used for electrical contacts for low-voltage electric appliances.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a copper-based electrical contact material for low-voltage electrical appliances, in particular to the material design and preparation technology of the copper-based electrical contact material. Background technique [0002] Most of the electrical contacts of low-voltage electrical appliances are made of composite materials containing 80%-90% silver (mass percentage). Limited, 25%-30% of which are used to manufacture contact components required for electrical and electronic instruments. However, after years of mining and application, limited precious metal resources are becoming increasingly scarce. In order to save silver, the world is conducting research on reducing the silver content of contact materials, and at the same time developing base metal electrical contact materials to replace the limited and expensive silver. [0003] Copper has similar physical, chemical, and electrical properties to silver. As an electrical co...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0004] Since the 1970s, research on copper-based electrical contact materials in the field of low-voltage electrical appliances has been widely carried out at home and abroad, and a large number of patents have been applied for. Some common problems in material technology: (1) Insufficient oxidation resistance

Cu-based material contact elements will release a lot of heat during the breaking process, and Cu is easily oxidized to form an oxide film, which causes an increase in contact resistance and affects electrical and thermal conductivity.

(2) Welding resistance and arc erosion resistance need to be improved

In addition, Cu-based electrical contact materials must maintain high electrical and thermal conductivity and low contact resistance, and their strength and hardness will inevitably be affected, thereby affecting the welding resistance and arc erosion resistance of the material.

[0005] The emergence of a large number of patents shows that some progress has been made in the research of copper-based electrical contact materials in the field of low-voltage electrical appliances at home and abroad, and it also shows that it has a certain market demand. There are few applications in the field of low-voltage electrical appliances, and considerable work needs to be carried out in material design, preparation technology and electrical contact theory research

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