Effect of different types of carbon on microstructure and arcing behavior of Ag/C contact materials

Silver-carbon (Ag/C) contact materials with different types of carbon, including diamond, graphite, carbon black, and carbon nanotubes were fabricated by high-energy ball milling and hot-pressing. Their microstructures, arcing properties, and stability of the carbon structures were investigated. The results show that Ag/C nanotubes material displays a scallop-like morphology, which is significantly different from the microstructure of other Ag/C materials with dispersed particles. During the process of discharge, the diamond and carbon black in Ag/C materials are partially graphitized, while the morphology and crystal structure of graphite component have little change, indicating the graphite structure of Ag/C materials is the most stable of all.