Effect of Fe on microstructures and vacuum arc characteristics of CuCr alloys

► In this investigation, the breakdown behavior of CuCrFe alloy was studied by a digital high-speed video camera. ► The results show that Fe additions can strengthen the Cr phase and promote the first breakdown phase to transfer from Cr to Cu. ► The cathode spots in CuCr40Fe10 alloy surface exhibit the division and deviation characteristics.