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.