Arc erosion behaviors of AgSnO2 contact materials prepared with different SnO2 particle sizes

To clarify the effect of SnO2 particle size on the arc erosion behavior of AgSnO2 contact material, Ag-4%SnO2 (mass fraction) contact materials with different sizes of SnO2 particles were fabricated by powder metallurgy. The microstructure of Ag-4%SnO2 contact materials was characterized, and the relative density, hardness and electrical conductivity were measured. The arc erosion of Ag-4%SnO2 contact materials was tested, the arc duration and mass loss before and after arc erosion were determined, the surface morphologies and compositions of Ag-4%SnO2 contact materials after arc erosion were characterized, and the arc erosion mechanism of AgSnO2 contact materials was discussed. The results show that fine SnO2 particle is beneficial for the improvement of the relative density and hardness, but decreases the electrical conductivity. With the decrease of SnO2 particle size, Ag-4%SnO2 contact material presents shorter arc duration, less mass loss, larger erosion area and shallower arc erosion pits.