Arc erosion resistance of Al2O3–Cu/35Mo composites reinforced by trace graphene oxide

• Published in: Journal of materials research and technology Vol. 30; pp. 9612 - 9624
• Main Authors: Li, Lihua, Zhang, Jiacan, Zhou, Meng, Tian, Baohong, Zhang, Yi, Jing, Ke, Li, Xu, Guo, Huiwen, Volinsky, Alex A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.05.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Arc erosion; Copper matrix composites; Dispersion strengthening; Electrical contact; Graphene oxide; Graphene oxide; Arc erosion; Dispersion strengthening; Copper matrix composites; Electrical contact
• ISSN: 2238-7854
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2024.06.046

In this study, Al2O3–Cu/35Mo composites were prepared by rapid hot-press sintering-internal oxidation method, and the materials were modified by adding trace amounts of graphene oxide (GO). The results show that the relative densities of the composites are above 99%, the γ-Al2O3 generated by internal oxidation is diffusely distributed on the copper matrix. The incorporation of GO produced a small number of hard MoC particles at the interface, which facilitated the interfacial bonding of the composites. In the 30 V DC, 10–30 A electrical contact test, the anode mass of the composites increases, while the cathode mass decreases. And GO reduces the total mass loss of the electric contact by 63.6%, 38.9%, 51.3% and 20.9%, respectively. A comparison of the electrical contact properties of the two materials showed that the addition of GO dispersed the concentrated erosion of the arc. At 10 A and 30 A, the arc energy is reduced by 75.5% and 12.5%, respectively. With the gradual increase in electric current, GO makes the Al2O3–Cu/35Mo composites more stable during the electric contact process, improves the anti-welding ability of the contact and reduces contact resistance.